Devastating wildfires rage across multiple fronts in Greece

Firefighters across Greece are locked in a desperate battle against dozens of raging wildfires, with strong winds hampering efforts to contain the flames.

The hardest-hit areas include Patras, Arta, Chios, and Philippiada, while a new fire broke out early Wednesday morning in Megara, Attica. Overnight, despite heroic firefighting efforts, the blazes remained largely out of control, with authorities now relying heavily on aerial firefighting support.

In Achaia, southwest of Patras, entire neighborhoods have been devastated. Homes in Tsoukaleika and Moireika have been destroyed, while two factories in the industrial area were consumed by flames. Villages including Vrachneika, Alissos, Kamenitsa, and Achaiko have been severely impacted, prompting mass evacuations. Businesses in Kaminia also suffered damage as firefighters struggled to contain the fast-moving fire.

Chios Island faced a particularly harrowing night, with villages forced to evacuate as flames swept through the region. Authorities rescued 45 people from the sea near Limnia, while the settlements of Amani and Volissos were abandoned by residents and tourists alike.

Εθελοντές Ναυαγοσώστες, με διασωστική λέμβο, απομάκρυναν οικογένειες και κατοικίδια από την περιοχή Βραχναίικα, όπου η πύρινη λαίλαπα έφτασε δίπλα στην θάλασσα.

Στην περιοχή Βουντένη έδωσαν σκληρή μάχη με τις φλόγες οι εθελοντές Σαμαρείτες Διασώστες όλη τη νύχτα#πυρκαγιες pic.twitter.com/H8TW1VvrR3

— Ελληνικός Ερυθρός Σταυρός - Hellenic Red Cross (@greekredcross) August 13, 2025

In the northwestern region of Filippiada and the villages of the Municipality of Ziros, the situation remains dire. Residents of Gymnotopos were evacuated for a second time, while Old Filippiada and surrounding villages, including Gorgomylos and Tsagaropoulos, are under emergency evacuation orders.

Officials warn that strong winds and high temperatures continue to fuel the fires and urge residents in affected areas to comply with evacuation orders. Emergency services are calling for calm and cooperation as the country faces yet another catastrophic wildfire season.

Authorities are urging anyone in the path of the flames to evacuate immediately, as the blazes show no sign of slowing down.