51 Wildfires Erupt Across Greece in 24 Hours, Central Macedonia Hardest Hit

Greece's Fire Service battled 51 wildfires nationwide over the past 24 hours, with Central Macedonia bearing the brunt of the operational strain, the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has said.

The ministry said the region saw a heavy concentration of blazes, both contained and ongoing, causing significant concern. 

Multiple simultaneous fires in the area have demanded constant vigilance and rapid coordination of firefighting resources to prevent them from spreading out of control, officials said, adding that the high number of incidents has forced crews to spread thin, complicating suppression efforts.

One of the most demanding operations unfolded in Derveni, Oraiokastro, near Thessaloniki, described by the ministry as one of the toughest fires of the day. Some 120 firefighters, four ground units and 33 vehicles were deployed, backed by volunteers, heavy machinery and water trucks from the Thessaloniki municipality. 

Seven aircraft and three helicopters supported the operation from the air, with two drones monitoring the fire zone. 

Twelve firefighters and three vehicles from Moldova, deployed under the European Union's pre-positioning program, also assisted.

Separately, crews were battling another blaze that broke out shortly before 10 p.m. in a forested area of Livadi, Thessaloniki, involving 46 firefighters, three ground units, volunteers and 11 vehicles. 

The fire was burning away from homes and infrastructure, though Thessaloniki's arson investigation unit has been activated to determine its cause.

The ministry warned that high temperatures, dry vegetation, strong winds and careless human activity were significantly raising the risk of extreme fires, and urged the public to exercise maximum caution.

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