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- Fire officials said by Wednesday morning there was no substantial active front, though smoking areas and scattered hotspots remained.
- The fire began Tuesday near the island’s landfill in Kambi and spread southward through dry terrain and shifting winds.
- More than 86 firefighters, four forest commando teams, 24 fire engines, aircraft, helicopters and ferry reinforcements were deployed.
- No injuries were reported, while material damage was confirmed and the fire’s cause remained under investigation.
The blaze spread rapidly from the Kambi area into southern Paros overnight, prompting repeated emergency alerts. Fire officials say there is now no substantial active front, but strong winds and scattered hotspots remain a serious concern.
Firefighters remain on full alert on the Aegean island of Paros on Wednesday after a large wildfire swept through the island’s interior, forced the evacuation of several communities and threatened scattered homes.
The situation had improved significantly by mid-morning, with the Fire Service reporting that there was no longer a substantial active front. However, smoking areas and scattered hotspots remained within the perimeter of the fire, while strengthening winds raised fears that flames could re-emerge. No community was under immediate threat, officials said.
The fire broke out at around 1.30pm on Tuesday in rubbish and low vegetation near the island’s landfill in the Kambi area. Fanned by dry conditions and shifting winds, it spread rapidly southwards, passing through Aneratza and Kamari before moving close to Agkairia and towards Trypiti and Faragas. Difficult terrain, including slopes, ravines and areas without firebreaks, complicated efforts to contain the blaze.
Residents and visitors received a succession of emergency alerts through Greece’s 112 warning system.
The first evacuation order, issued on Tuesday afternoon, instructed people in Agios Charalambos, Kambi, Bougados and Aneratza to move towards Alyki. Residents of Kamari were told to leave shortly afterwards.
During the early hours of Wednesday, people in Agkairia were directed towards Alyki beach as the flames approached the area. Further alerts instructed residents of Trypiti, Aspro Chorio, Glyfa and Pyrgaki to evacuate towards the south-eastern coastal village of Drios.
Paros Mayor Konstantinos Bizas described the overnight situation as extremely difficult, saying firefighters and local authorities had worked continuously to prevent the flames from reaching inhabited areas. Elderly residents and others requiring assistance were moved to safer locations with the help of relatives, police and municipal crews.
The firefighting operation has grown considerably since the blaze began. By Wednesday morning, 86 firefighters, four specialist forest commando teams and 24 fire engines were deployed on the island, supported by volunteers and municipal water tankers.
Two water-dropping aircraft and five helicopters were operating from first light, with one helicopter coordinating the aerial response. Fifteen aerial units had taken part in the operation on Tuesday before flights were suspended after dark. Further firefighters and vehicles were also being transported to Paros by ferry from Rafina, following earlier reinforcements from Syros, Naxos, Piraeus and Athens.
Fire Service spokesperson Giannis Artopios said the overnight operation had prevented the fire from spreading further. The remaining hotspots were contained within a perimeter established by firefighting crews, but he warned that the island’s rugged landscape could conceal smaller fires capable of flaring up as winds strengthened.
Ground and aerial forces were expected to remain in place until the fire was fully extinguished.
No injuries have been reported. The Fire Service confirmed that material damage had occurred, although a complete assessment would only be carried out after the firefighting operation was concluded. Local officials said there was not yet a clear picture of possible damage to the scattered holiday homes found across the affected area.
Paros has been placed under Category 3, or high wildfire risk, on Wednesday’s national fire-danger map. Authorities have urged residents and visitors to remain vigilant, avoid the affected roads and keep access clear for emergency vehicles.
The Cyclades Arson Crimes Investigation Unit is examining the circumstances in which the fire began. Its cause has not yet been established.
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