Hundreds of firefighters, supported by aircraft and helicopters, continued battling major wildfires across Greece on Saturday after a dramatic night in Boeotia, western Attica and Aigialeia, where strong winds hampered containment efforts.
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Dramatic night in Porto Germeno
One of the most challenging fronts began in Kalamaki, Boeotia, before advancing towards Attica and the broader Porto Germeno area.
As flames approached residential zones, authorities issued successive evacuation orders through the 112 emergency alert system. Residents were initially instructed to move towards the port before a second alert directed people towards the beach.
As conditions worsened, rescue operations were launched from the sea.
A Hellenic Coast Guard patrol vessel and a Fire Service boat evacuated 12 people from a beach in Porto Germeno, transporting them safely to Alepochori.
Coast Guard and Fire Service vessels, supported by private boats, remained in the area in case further evacuations became necessary.
Flames reach residential areas
Difficult conditions were also reported in Psatha, where the fire moved close to the settlement overnight.
Residents were instructed to leave for Alepochori and Megara, while an earlier evacuation order had also been issued for the Mytikas area.
Police implemented traffic restrictions across the wider Porto Germeno region, closing and diverting roads leading towards active fire zones. Officers remained deployed both to manage traffic and assist evacuation efforts.
Massive firefighting operation
A large-scale firefighting response is under way, involving:
- 325 firefighters
- 18 forest commando teams
- 92 fire engines
- Volunteers
- 18 aircraft
- Seven helicopters
A military engineering vehicle has also been deployed to help create firebreaks in cooperation with forestry authorities, while local authorities have supplied water tankers and heavy machinery.
Overnight battle near Aigio
Firefighters also spent the night battling another blaze near Nerantzies in Aigialeia, where strong winds complicated efforts to stop the flames from reaching populated areas.
A force of 75 firefighters and ground crews operated near the communities of Arravonitsa and Neos Erineos.
Residents received precautionary evacuation alerts, while four firefighting aircraft and two helicopters joined operations after daybreak.
Extreme fire risk remains
Authorities warned that conditions remain highly dangerous, with strong winds increasing the risk of both the spread of existing wildfires and the outbreak of new ones.
Attica and Evia remain under a Category 5 extreme wildfire risk warning, while several other regions of Greece are under Category 4 very high risk alerts.
Firefighting forces remain on high alert as efforts continue to protect communities and contain active fire fronts.
