Greece is facing one of its most devastating wildfire outbreaks in recent years, with multiple active fire fronts across the country from Evia and Messinia to Kythera, Crete, and Lakonia. The fire service, emergency authorities, and volunteers are engaged in an unrelenting battle to contain blazes that have already scorched thousands of hectares, destroyed homes, decimated agricultural livelihoods, and devastated forest ecosystems.
Nationwide emergency: Fires engulf Evia, Kythera, Messinia, Crete, and more
As of Sunday 27 July 2025, Greece remained under a state of heightened alert, with 11 regions classified as at very high fire risk due to ongoing high temperatures and strong winds. Firefighting crews worked through the night, particularly in Afra, Evia, where aerial assets resumed water drops at dawn.
Major incidents unfolded across:
- Kythera – where large-scale destruction has affected forest lands in Pitsinades, with no unified front but widespread outbreaks,
- Messinia – especially Polithea and Monastiri, and Aetos, where olive groves, vineyards, and fig orchards have been incinerated,
- Evia – particularly in Pissona, where renewed flare-ups prompted fresh evacuations via the 112 alert system,
- Crete – in the Chania region and near Palaiochora, where seven villages were evacuated,
- Ptolemaïda, Lakonia, and Chania – where firefighting operations continue amid difficult terrain and shifting winds.
In Athens, the blaze in Kryoneri, which began in Drosopigi, has been largely contained, although hotspots persist among the ashes.
National toll: Homes, livelihoods, and ecosystems lost
The human cost of the wildfires has been profound, though no loss of life has been confirmed in the latest wave. However, multiple people have been injured, including a firefighter hospitalised with burns at the 401 Military Hospital. Over 27 people had to be rescued, primarily elderly or mobility-impaired individuals, while hundreds have been displaced from their homes. In Kythera, 139 people, including a baby, were safely evacuated by the Coast Guard from a beach surrounded by flames.
The ecological impact is staggering. In Evia, hundreds of hectares of forest, olive groves, greenhouses, and livestock farms have been destroyed. Thousands of animals have perished. One tragic account described entire flocks burned alive, leaving farmers and shepherds in despair. The local economy in areas like Pissona and Ritsona has been pushed to the brink of collapse.
In Crete, apicultural devastation is extensive. “I had 250 beehives — if 30 survived, it’s a miracle,” said beekeeper Spyros Stathakis from Kissamos. His brother added that the heat from the fires melted even the honey. “We lost everything in ten minutes,” they said, grateful only that the police prevented them from entering the blaze, which would likely have cost them their lives.
Emergency response and political oversight
According to Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Yiannis Kefalogiannis, 52 wildfires started on Saturday alone, of which 44 were brought under control swiftly. However, “even the slightest negligence can lead to catastrophe,” he warned. Greece has requested support from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, with Italy deploying two firefighting aircraft to assist operations.
Firefighting resources are stretched, with over 100 personnel, dozens of vehicles, helicopters, and aircraft deployed in the most affected regions. International support has arrived, including crews from Moldova, while local volunteers and municipal bodies continue to play a critical role.
In his weekly address, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis acknowledged the scale of the challenge and praised the titanic efforts of firefighters, police, civil protection volunteers, armed forces, and local authorities. He noted that timely alerts via 112 and swift mobilisation of all forces helped avoid worse outcomes.
“The State is present and will remain so. For those who have lost homes and property, the government will provide rapid and effective assistance. The only proper response to such complex challenges is a coordinated one — through operational upgrades, reforms, and increased resilience to climate-driven disasters,” he stated.
Devastation in Kythera and Messinia
Kythera, in particular, has suffered extensive ecological and material loss, with significant damage reported in Mylopotamos, one of the island’s most picturesque villages. Rare natural sites, forests, bee farms, and small businesses have been destroyed. Over 6% of the island’s surface area has reportedly been affected.
In Messinia, especially around Aetos, olive groves, vineyards, and fig farms that once sustained entire communities were razed. Many families now face the loss of their sole income. The electrical grid is damaged, with most villages still without power, while DEI crews work to restore services. Water supplies, fortunately, remain stable, but concerns persist for the long term.
Local leaders and residents have raised concerns about years of neglected firebreaks and lack of forest clearing around settlements. As one community president put it, the speed of the fire’s spread was directly related to the lack of preparedness.
Despite this, residents in many areas mounted heroic efforts, using tractors to dig fire lines, defending homes, and providing first aid to affected neighbours. The mood is a mixture of sorrow and defiance, as people begin to assess the damage and prepare for the long road to recovery.
Kryoneri: A grim scene, but lives saved
In Kryoneri, the fire may now be under control, but the destruction remains visible. Homes on Lefki Street were completely destroyed, and a resident who had only recently returned to Greece after years abroad lost everything within hours. In total, five to six houses were completely lost, and many more suffered extensive structural damage.
Efforts to restore electricity and water supply are ongoing, with fallen power lines and charred infrastructure complicating efforts. For now, many residents remain displaced, as health and safety risks — including extreme heat and toxic air — make immediate return impossible.
Environmental experts warn that some trees, especially olive trunks, continue to smoulder for days, posing ongoing risks of reignition.
A wake-up call for Greece
From Mylopotamos to Afidnes, from Kythera to Pissona, the common thread is one of loss — but also one of courage. People resisted, fought back, evacuated when told, and now demand support not just to rebuild, but to be protected in the future.
As one beekeeper put it:
“We don’t want charity. We want a fair assessment so we can stand on our feet again.”
What Greece is facing is no longer an isolated event — it is a recurring crisis shaped by climate change, underprepared infrastructure, and limited resilience mechanisms. The need for structural prevention, quicker response, and meaningful investment in disaster-readiness is no longer a policy option — it is an urgent national imperative.
Also read: Limassol wildfire: President apologises and announces measures
