A group of horses raced away from an advancing wildfire near Kandili, northwest of Athens, on Monday as flames spread across a nearby field.
Video from the area showed the animals running through open land while thick smoke rose behind them. The flames appeared only a short distance away. Local media that recorded the scene said all the horses escaped without injury.
The dramatic footage emerged as firefighters continued battling a major wildfire across western Attica for a fourth day. Strong, shifting winds pushed the fire through forests, farmland, and areas near coastal communities.
Fire in Greece destroys forests and homes
The fire had burned at least 12,600 hectares, or about 31,100 acres, by Monday evening. Most of the affected land was forest. Officials also reported damage to dozens of homes, although no injuries were reported among residents.
More than 450 firefighters operated across the area, supported by 126 fire engines. Up to thirty-one water-dropping aircraft also joined the effort. Crews used heavy machinery to cut firebreaks and stop the flames from reaching more homes.
Today’s images from the wildfire show three horses running for their lives to escape the flames in the Kandili area of Megara, Western Attica, Greece. pic.twitter.com/7inRCAg14A
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) August 3, 2026
The fire showed signs of easing early Monday. However, higher temperatures later caused new flare-ups. The most active fronts remained near Kandili and Agia Skepi, close to the coastal town of Nea Peramos.
Authorities sent emergency alerts to residents in Kandili and several nearby settlements. The messages ordered people to leave threatened areas and move toward safer locations.
More than 1,000 people have been evacuated since the fire began. Emergency crews rescued more than 250 people by boat after flames and smoke blocked roads near coastal communities.
Severe damage was also reported in Porto Germeno, a seaside community west of Athens. The flames destroyed properties and burned large areas of forest and farmland.
Deadly helicopter collision overshadows response
The firefighting operation was marked by tragedy on Sunday when two helicopters collided in the air near Psatha.
A Greek crew member and a Danish pilot died when one of the helicopters crashed. The two people aboard the second aircraft, a Greek and a British national, survived with minor injuries. Greek police opened an investigation into the cause of the collision.
🇬🇷 Water-bombing helicopters battle Greece wildfires
Helicopters dump water to fight a wildfire in Kryo Pigadi, about fifty kilometres west of Athens, while Greek firefighters continue battling multiple blazes across the country. pic.twitter.com/17bXdo4QMs
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) August 3, 2026
Strong winds had made aerial operations especially dangerous. At times, rough conditions prevented firefighting aircraft from collecting seawater or flying through mountain areas.
Officials investigate suspected power-line fault
Investigators believe the wildfire may have started when a fault on a private power line produced sparks. The line carried electricity from wind turbines to the main power network.
Authorities arrested an electrical engineer and a contractor connected to the project. Both are being investigated on suspicion of negligent arson. Officials have not yet announced a conclusion about the cause of the fire.
Attica remained under a high wildfire warning as authorities expected temperatures to rise again. Fire crews stayed in the area to protect settlements and respond quickly to new outbreaks.
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