Greece is struggling on Sunday to contain the blazes that have turned more than 100,000 acres of land and dozens of homes to ashes as fires have continued to burn on multiple fronts since Friday.
The mega fire in Boeotia and Attica was raging for a third consecutive day on Sunday, while the forest fire in Fokida kept burning for a second day and a new major wildfire broke out just before midnight on Saturday on the island of Kefalonia, spreading to residential areas on Sunday.
Due to the large number of incidents and the extreme weather conditions, firefighting mechanisms have reached capacity, Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Evangelos Tournas admitted on Saturday.
Συγκλονιστικές εικόνες με τον καπνό πάνω απ’ τα Μέγαρα Αττικής pic.twitter.com/iC36dDsKKu
— Forecast Weather Greece (@ForecastGreece) August 1, 2026
Emergency evacuations continue in Greece as forest fires spread
Firefighting forces battled the flames overnight, joined by aircraft at the first light of day, although gale force winds continue to prevent aerial operations for the most part. Units sent by France and Romania have been operating in aid of the Hellenic Fire Service.
Evacuations continued in Attica on Sunday, as the mega fire from Porto Germeno moved towards Megara and the city’s vast industrial zone. In many cases, police forces went door to door to ensure everybody has been accounted for as the flames progressed.
👮Οι δυνάμεις της Ελληνικής Αστυνομίας συνεχίζουν να επιχειρούν στις περιοχές που επηρεάζονται από την πυρκαγιά σε Άγιο Νεκτάριο, Πόρτο Γερμενό και Ψάθα.
Συνολικά επιχειρούν:
▪️6 περιπολικά της Άμεσης Δράσης
▪️6 ομάδες ΔΙ.ΑΣ.
▪️2 περιπολικά της Διεύθυνσης Αστυνομίας Δυτικής… pic.twitter.com/yYMOlXc03e— Ελληνική Αστυνομία (@hellenicpolice) August 1, 2026
Meanwhile, authorities in Greece announced two arrests in connection with the fires that started in Boeotia and spread to Attica after an arson investigation unit identified a private wind power facility as the original source of the fire. Improperly installed power cables appear to have created sparks that set the whole area ablaze amidst strong winds.
Villages on island of Kefalonia threatened
A major fire that broke out shortly before midnight on Saturday in the Pastra area of Kefalonia remained fully active on Sunday, forcing the evacuation of numerous villages.
The fire started in a forested area and spread rapidly, prompting an immediate response from the Hellenic Fire Service and Civil Protection. Firefighting resources in the area were increased on Sunday to 52 firefighters, supported by three ground teams from the Special Forest Operations Unit (EMODE), volunteers, and twelve fire engines. Two aircraft and one helicopter were also deployed to provide air support. Further reinforcements arrived by ferry from Kyllini, AMNA reports.
The flames spread quickly as intense winds drove them in two directions—one front advanced towards Katelios and the coast while the other moved towards Markopoulo before continuing down towards Elios, threatening the villages of Mavrata, Thiramonas, and Hionata.
Homes in Kremmydi, Markopoulo, Ano Katelios, and Mavrata were in immediate danger, while the fire also burned through farmland and private gardens.
Successive emergency evacuation alerts were sent out overnight, urging residents to evacuate toward Argostoli. New areas were being evacuated as the fire spread during Sunday. In Katelios, hotels and tourist accommodation were evacuated, with residents and visitors being directed to safer locations.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
