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Full Breakdown

Greece Battles Widespread Wildfires Amid Record Winds

8/2/2026, 6:56:43 AM

Extent of the Fires

Over 70 locations across the country are affected.

A blaze near the coastal village of Agios Vasileios threatens the Porto Germeno area, about 70 km northwest of Athens.

The island of Crete has also been hit, with roughly 5,000 hectares burned.

Weather and Operational Challenges

Winds recorded up to 130 km/h by the National Observatory of Athens have hampered ground and aerial tactics.

Strong gusts have forced some firefighting aircraft to be redirected to milder conditions in the Peloponnese.

More than 300 firefighters have been deployed to contain the flames.

Official Statements and Alerts

The Greek fire brigade announced a maximum alert level, warning of heightened risk on the Attica peninsula and the island of Evia.

A fire department spokesman told AFP the fire reached the sea and caused damage to homes.

Mayor Giorgos Anastasiou of Thebes described the environmental damage as “huge.”

Theodore Giannaros, senior researcher at the National Observatory of Athens, called the damage to the Porto Germeno area “inconceivable.”

Human and Environmental Impact

Three firefighters have died while battling the blazes.

Coastal homes have been damaged, and extensive ecological harm has been reported.

The combination of extreme heat, drought and the record winds has amplified the severity of the fires.

Regional Context

The current outbreaks are part of a broader pattern of severe wildfires across Europe this summer, driven by prolonged heatwaves and limited rainfall.