Large-scale wildfires ravage Boeotia and West Attica

A massive wildfire that broke out on July 31, 2026, in Boeotia and spread into West Attica has entered its fifth day of active operations. The blaze has scorched over 130,000 stremmata of forest and farmland, forcing emergency sea and land evacuations from coastal resorts like Porto Germeno. Two crew members of a firefighting helicopter tragically died on Sunday following a mid-air collision near Psatha, while a separate fire engine was destroyed near Porto Germeno, though the crew survived unharmed.

Operations are currently concentrated on three main fronts: the area between Psatha and Loumpa, the axis of Agios Nektarios and Agia Paraskevi, and the region from Kandili toward Megara. Despite a decrease in wind intensity, erratic changes in direction continue to challenge efforts to contain scattered flare-ups. A force of 526 firefighters, 141 vehicles, and 29 specialized infantry teams is engaged in the effort, supported by European reinforcements from Romania and France and aerial units.

Satellite data and environmental reports indicate that 42% of the forest area in the Attica region has been destroyed by wildfires over the last decade. Authorities continue to create firebreaks and maintain ground positions, prioritizing the containment of active hotspots to prevent further damage to communities and the local ecosystem.