Authorities in Greece have identified apparent issues in the private electricity network supplying a wind farm as the likely origin of the devastating wildfire that scorched vast areas of Attica and neighboring Boeotia, according to a preliminary investigation report.
The inspection, carried out by the Fire Service’s Arson Crimes Directorate (DAEE), found no evidence of arson, discarded cigarettes, fireworks, hot works, or other human activity that could have ignited the blaze at its point of origin near the village of Mavro Spithari in Boeotia.
Instead, investigators documented a series of technical deficiencies, construction flaws, and maintenance issues in the privately operated power line serving the wind farm. According to the report, these defects may have caused a short circuit or electrical arcing, generating sparks that ignited dry vegetation.
Previous fire on same power line
One of the report’s most significant findings is that another wildfire had already broken out along the same electricity line on June 27, approximately 150 meters from the latest ignition point. That earlier fire was attributed to a short circuit after two energized conductors came into contact, sending sparks into surrounding dry vegetation.
Investigators noted that the apparent deficiencies identified following the earlier incident were not fully corrected, raising concerns that similar problems may have contributed to the latest blaze.
Technical evidence of wildfire investigation
The forensic report is accompanied by photographs and GPS coordinates identifying the fire’s point of origin directly beneath the overhead electricity line leading to the wind farm.
Inspectors found a fallen wooden utility pole and sections of electrical conductors on the burned ground. They also documented localized deformation and heat damage to the metal conductors that, according to the report, appeared to predate the wildfire rather than result from it.
A mechanical engineer also revealed that thermal imaging inspections carried out on June 20 had detected unusually high temperatures at two points where the underground cable connects with the overhead line. One of those locations was in the vicinity of the area where both the June and August fires started.
An independent electrical engineering expert concluded that strong winds likely caused the energized conductors to sway, either allowing them to touch and create a short circuit or bringing them close enough to generate an electrical arc due to structural deficiencies in the line.
Investigation continues
Authorities have not conclusively determined the wildfire’s cause, and the investigation remains ongoing. The preliminary findings, however, focus attention on the private electricity infrastructure serving the wind farm and whether previous technical issues were adequately addressed prior to the fire.
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