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Wildfires

Greece Battles Dozens of Wildfires Amid Extreme Winds and Heat

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Greece is currently facing its worst wildfires in decades, with dozens of blazes raging across the country and forcing mass evacuations. The Greek government has deployed its emergency services, including firefighters, forest rangers, and aircraft, to combat the fires, which have been fueled by extreme winds and heat. The situation is particularly dire in the western region of Achaia, where a major blaze has destroyed industrial facilities, homes, and farmland, and at least three people have been treated for burns or respiratory problems.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Greek official news agency AMNA reported 82 wildfires in the past 24 hours, with 23 still active by nightfall Tuesday.
  • Gale-force winds of up to nine on the Beaufort scale fanned the flames, prompting the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection to mobilize emergency services nationwide.
  • In the western region of Achaia, a major blaze near the industrial zone of Patras triggered repeated emergency alerts and the evacuation of over 20 settlements, with industrial facilities, homes, and farmland damaged and at least three people treated for burns or respiratory problems.
  • On the eastern Aegean island of Chios, flames swept through forest and farmland, reaching villages in the Volissos area, with six villages and three settlements evacuated and dozens of people rescued from beaches by Coast Guard units and private boats.
  • Houses and an olive oil mill were destroyed on Zakynthos in the Ionian Sea, where three active fire fronts stretching over 15 km forced the evacuation of the villages of Agalas and Keri, along with tourist facilities.
  • Severe heat and drought in recent weeks have combined with strong winds to fuel the rapid spread of wildfires across Greece.

Statistics:

  • 82 wildfires reported in the past 24 hours, with 23 still active by nightfall Tuesday.[1]
  • Gale-force winds of up to 9 on the Beaufort scale fanned the flames.[2]
  • Over 20 settlements evacuated in the western region of Achaia due to a major blaze near the industrial zone of Patras.[3]
  • 3 people treated for burns or respiratory problems on Zakynthos in the Ionian Sea.[4]
  • 6 villages and 3 settlements evacuated on the eastern Aegean island of Chios.[5]

Sources:

  • Greek official news agency AMNA (no publication date provided)
  • Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection (no publication date provided)
  • Xinhua News Agency (ATHENS, August 12, 2025 (COMTEX 467992934/2084/2025-08-12T16:55:23))

[1] Xinhua News Agency (ATHENS, August 12, 2025 (COMTEX 467992934/2084/2025-08-12T16:55:23))

[2] Xinhua News Agency (ATHENS, August 12, 2025 (COMTEX 467992934/2084/2025-08-12T16:55:23))

[3] Xinhua News Agency (ATHENS, August 12, 2025 (COMTEX 467992934/2084/2025-08-12T16:55:23))

[4] Xinhua News Agency (ATHENS, August 12, 2025 (COMTEX 467992934/2084/2025-08-12T16:55:23))

[5] Xinhua News Agency (ATHENS, August 12, 2025 (COMTEX 467992934/2084/2025-08-12T16:55:23))

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