Greece’s emergency services faced their sternest test of the summer over the weekend as nearly 100 wildfires tore across the country in 48 hours, pushing firefighting resources to the limit and forcing evacuations on the outskirts of Athens.
The most dangerous blaze sparked in the Oinoi area of Mandra, northwest of the capital, under a Level 4 extreme fire risk warning.
Authorities threw a massive force at it: 210 firefighters, 10 ground infantry teams, 76 vehicles and 29 water-dropping aircraft.
The Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection issued a 112 emergency evacuation alert for the surrounding area.
Mandra Mayor Mr. Armodios Drikos confirmed that seven homes were evacuated as a precaution, but that the coordinated aerial and ground assault succeeded in corralling the flames before any properties were destroyed.
Active hotspots within the perimeter are still being fought.
Across the country, 96 forest fires have broken out since Friday. Central Macedonia bore some of the worst of it, with 17 fires erupting almost simultaneously, forcing a punishing division of resources.
Crews fought through the night in the Thessaloniki suburb of Oraiokastro and contained a severe fire in Nea Kallikrateia, Halkidiki.
Rapid interventions also prevented major disasters in Drosia, Thebes and on the island of Rhodes.
The Civil Protection Ministry said early mobilisation had kept the vast majority of blazes from spreading into populated areas — a significant operational achievement given the scale and speed of the outbreaks.
The danger is far from over.
A Level 4 fire risk is forecast for Monday across Chios, Samos, Ikaria and the Cretan regions of Rethymno, Heraklion and Lasithi. Attica and Evia remain under a Level 3 alert.
Authorities are urging the public to clear land and avoid any activity that could produce a spark.
