A major wildfire west of Athens sent thick smoke over the capital on Friday and prompted precautionary evacuations toward Peristeri. Authorities reported flames advancing along a kilometres-long front about 60 km north-west of Athens, where hundreds were rescued by boat. Fires also burned near Porto Heli on the Peloponnese and on Crete, where roughly 8,000 people left the south in recent days. Strong winds have limited aerial firefighting and the highest wildfire risk is expected across large parts of Greece on Saturday.
Wildfires Send Thick Smoke Over Athens; Hundreds Rescued As Blazes Rage Across Greece
FILE PHOTO: Residents stand on their roofs in front of huge flames at the village of Gennadi as powerful winds continued fuelling forest fires on the Greek island of Rhodes, threatening six villages north and west of Lindos. (is associated with: «Fire breaks out west of Athens as flames rage in other Greek areas») Christoph Reichwein/dpa
A major wildfire broke out on Friday afternoon to the west of Athens, sending thick plumes of smoke over the suburb of Dasos and making the haze visible across central Athens. Civil protection authorities ordered precautionary evacuations toward the suburb of Peristeri, warning that the smoke posed a particular risk to children and older people.
Widespread Fires and Local Impact
The blaze near the capital is one of several large wildfires keeping Greece's emergency services under intense pressure. Authorities said conditions were especially critical about 60 kilometres north-west of Athens, where flames advanced along a front stretching for kilometres. Local media reported that in the Agios Vasilios and Porto Germeno areas, hundreds of residents were surrounded by fire and had to be evacuated to safety by boat.
Peloponnese and Crete
Another significant fire is burning near Porto Heli on the Peloponnese peninsula, prompting precautionary evacuations of numerous villages, Greek broadcaster ERT reported. On Crete, fire service teams continued operations after the situation eased in some areas, but civil protection warned that strengthening winds could rekindle flames and prevented authorities from giving an all-clear.
Response and Challenges
Firefighters on the ground, supported by firefighting helicopters where possible, were deployed to protect densely populated regions. Strong and gusty winds have severely hampered aerial firefighting, limiting the operational use of aircraft and helicopters and allowing spot fires to develop. Officials said the highest wildfire risk level is expected to apply to large parts of Greece on Saturday, keeping emergency services on heightened alert.
"We ordered the evacuation as a precaution," a civil protection spokeswoman told Greek news channel Skai, stressing that the smoke was particularly dangerous for children and older people.
People Affected
Around 8,000 people have left the south of Crete in recent days because of heavy smoke or precautionary evacuations, authorities said. Many tourists have returned to the resort of Agia Galini after conditions eased, but officials emphasised that risks remain high while winds are unpredictable.
What Residents Should Do
Civil protection advised people in affected areas to follow official evacuation orders, avoid smoke exposure where possible, and check local authority updates. Emergency services cautioned that residents should prepare for rapid changes in fire behaviour and remain ready to move if directed.
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