2023 Greece wildfires

Three major wildfires broke out in the area of Attica on 17 July, in Kalyvia, Loutraki, and Dervenochoria. Greek authorities directed villagers to evacuate their homes in southern Athens. On 20 July, wildfires reignited in Athens as a result of wind, which forced an evacuation effort in the city. On August 22, another major wildfire broke out near Fyli, in a monastery. The 25km/h strong winds made it very difficult to put out and resulted in the area being evacuated. The fire progressed during the night and on August 23 it reached the Parnitha mountain. On August 24th the fire was put out. The fire destroyed a few homes.

On 23 July, mass evacuations were ordered in Corfu following major wildfire breakouts on the island.[10]

People in Rou, Katavolo, Kentroma, Tritsi, Kokokila, Sarakiniatika, Plagia, Kalami, Vlachatika, and Kavalerena were told to evacuate and move to Ipsos, whilst people in Viglatouri and Nisaki were advised to evacuate to Barbati.

In Karystos, the flames reached a height of 20 metres (66 ft) and the mayor asked for increased use of aerial vehicles in extinguishing operations. A man was reported to have died from heat stroke as a result of the wildfires on the island of Evia.[11] On 25 July 2023, a Canadair CL-215 crashed in Karystos, killing its two pilots,[12] with a similar incident that happened almost 15 years to the day in the same area with the same casualties.[13] Later the same day, a 41-year-old shepherd was found charred in an inaccessible area outside the village of Platanistos in Karystos.[14]

Two major wildfires broke out in the area of Magnesia on 26 July, in Almyros and near Velestino. The fires managed to reach Nea Anchialos Air Base and the Industrial Zone of Volos. Many F-16s were ordered to move from Nea Anchialos Air Base to Larissa Air Base for safety reasons.[15] The wildfire reached an ammunition warehouse and several explosions occurred, triggering the evacuation of the Nea Anchialos town.

The island of Rhodes suffered multiple wildfires, which resulted in over an estimated 19,000 people being evacuated by land and sea.[16][17] Emergency alerts were sent to residents on the island to warn them of the wildfires and to evacuate.

The fire department in Rhodes stated the fires there prompted the "largest evacuation operation" ever on the island, with the fire department using 10 firefighting airplanes, eight firefighting helicopters, over 260 firefighters, 49 fire trucks and hundreds of volunteers, among others, to tackle the blaze on the island.[18]

Authorities declared a state of emergency on 20 July 2023[19] in three municipalities of Rhodes, including Lindos, which is home to many tourist villages.

On 21 July, the Civil Protection ordered the evacuation of the village of Laerma, which is about 10 km from the coastal tourist resorts.

On 23 July 2023, it was announced that 1,200 extra people would be evacuated from the villages of Pefki, Lindos, and Kalathos.[20] Flights to Rhodes from British package holiday company Jet2.com were cancelled until 30 July 2023 and from TUI until 26 July 2023.[20]

On 2 August, the Ministry of Tourism lifted the state of emergency on Rhodes and offered complimentary travel accommodations to tourists who were evacuated from the island in the previous month.[21]

A major fire started near the city of Alexandroupolis in eastern Western Thrace on August 21. The fire was stated to be "the largest recorded in the EU" up to this time by EU officials, with around 73.000 hectares (730 square kilometers) burnt.[22][23] Most of the burnt area is concentrated in the Dadia Forest. Several migrants died when they got trapped by the flames near the Dadia Forest. As of the 28th of August the vast majority of the Dadia forest as well as the surrounding pine forests have been destroyed with more than 80,000 hectares (198,000 acres) scorched.[24] On the island of Samothraki a power outage occurred because of the Alexandroupolis fire. The general hospital of Alexandroupolis had to evacuate its patients. The fire had almost reached the hospital.

A major fire is also raging near the city of Kavala.

There is also a major forest fire near the infamous forest of Parnitha close to Athens. Several homes have been burnt to the ground. Because of the fire most of Athens is experiencing heavy smog. In combination with other major fires in Greece most of Greece is experiencing some form of smog.

Bulgaria deployed 70 firefighters with 14 vehicles to assist Greece.

Czech Republic deployed 79 personnel (firefighters and other), 33 vehicles and a helicopter with 6 personnel.

Croatia deployed a firefighting plane as part of EU assistance.

Three firefighting helicopters were deployed from Egypt.[27]

Two firefighting planes were sent by France.[28]

Israel sent two firefighting planes to assist in fighting the fire.

Italy sent two firefighting planes as reinforcements.[28]

Jordan sent four firefighting helicopters to Greece.[29]

Malta sent 20 firefighters to Greece.[30] This was the first time that Malta had sent firefighters abroad.[31]

Poland deployed 149 firefighters, along with 49 firefighting vehicles.

Romania sent 130 firefighters, with 25 firefighting vehicles, deployed alongside their Greek counterparts.

Serbia sent 38 firefighters, along with 14 vehicles.[32]

31 firefighters, along with 15 firefighting vehicles, were deployed from Slovakia.

Two firefighting planes and one helicopter were sent by Turkey at the request of the President.