Unchecked blaze rages close to Athens city center
In the heart of Greece, the city of Athens is currently grappling with a devastating wildfire that has claimed at least three lives and caused extensive damage to homes, agricultural land, and forests in the region of Keratea, approximately 27 miles southeast of the city. The fire began on Monday, August 8, 2025, and as of August 9, over 260 firefighters continue to battle active hotspots.
The current situation is fraught with danger due to a perfect storm of adverse weather conditions and high fire risk. Strong gale-force winds, reaching speeds of up to force nine, have intensified the fire, spreading flames rapidly and forcing evacuations, including an elderly care facility. These winds, combined with extreme heat, have created a high risk for new forest fires.
The meteorological office in Athens has warned of these stormy winds around the Aegean and the possibility of new forest fires being started easily due to the persistent drought. The dry conditions are so severe that even small sparks could ignite a major fire within minutes.
Authorities have conducted door-to-door evacuations and are appealing for increased Mediterranean cooperation on cross-border firefighting, including rapid response teams and coordinated aerial water drops, to better combat such severe wildfires. The Civil Protection Agency has issued the highest level of fire danger for large parts of the Aegean.
Three firefighting aircraft and five helicopters are currently in use to combat the flames from the air, with more reinforcements on the way, according to state broadcaster ERT. Despite these efforts, the fire is spreading uncontrollably due to the strong winds.
Tourist facilities, however, are currently not at risk, according to reports from the scene.
The continued strong winds are expected to persist and hinder firefighting efforts in the coming days. The stormy winds around the Aegean, as predicted by the meteorological office, are expected to continue, further complicating the already challenging situation.
In a bid to control the existing forest fire, authorities have issued evacuation orders for several villages as a precaution. The drought in the area increases the risk of major fires being started by even small sparks, making containment efforts difficult.
On August 12, an incendiary device was discovered in a forest area in the northern Athens suburb of Drosia, suggesting possible deliberate ignition or arson factors in the region's fire risk.
As the battle against the wildfire continues, the people of Athens and the firefighters on the front lines face a daunting and dangerous task. The combination of strong winds, extreme heat, and potential arson makes containment efforts difficult and underscores the dangerous conditions faced by all involved.
The meteorological office in Athens has warned that the strong winds around the Aegean, combined with the persistent drought, increase the risk of new forest fires being easily started, particularly in general-news like the current wildfire in Keratea. Other elements, including wind, fire, fireworks, and arson, as suggested by the discovery of an incendiary device in Drosia, are causing further concern, as they could lead to accidents and worsen the already challenging situation.
