Wildfires in Greece and Turkey cause widespread smoke cover over the Aegean and Mediterranean

Multiple wildfires have erupted across Greece and Turkey, resulting in significant smoke plumes that have spread across the Aegean Sea and as far as North Africa. On July 30, 2026, new fire fronts were recorded in Asomatos, Rethymno (Crete), and Paros, while fires in Turkey continued to transport smoke toward the islands of Lesvos and Chios. Satellite data from Meteosat-12 confirmed these movements.

By August 1, 2026, the situation intensified with major wildfires in Boeotia, Attica, and Argolis. Smoke from a large fire near Porto Germeno, Western Attica, stretched over 750 kilometers, reaching the coast of North Africa. The incidents were exacerbated by gale-force winds across Euboea, Attica, the Aegean, and Crete, with wind gusts at Paximada Karystou reaching 130 kilometers per hour.

Meteorological forecasts from the National Observatory of Athens indicate that these extreme winds are expected to weaken gradually from the evening of August 1. Authorities and monitoring teams continue to track the satellite imagery to assess the environmental impact and the reach of the smoke clouds as containment efforts proceed.