A wildfire is raging out of control in south-east Attica since Thursday noon forcing to evacuation of local residents and holidaymakers.
Summer in Greece is not only a heatwave season but also the time where wildfires destroy thousands of hectares of forest and agricultural land, burn down properties and wildlife, putting people’s lives at very high risk.
The fire that has been burning the island of Chios in eastern Greece for three days destroyed 10% of the island which is famous for its mastic production and had more than 25 villages and settlements being evacuated.
Πυρκαγιά στην περιοχή Θυμάρι Παλαιάς Φώκαιας Λαυρεωτικής στο νομό Αττικής 😢#πυρκαγια pic.twitter.com/baaHiF53jA
— ironic D! (@menexiadi) June 26, 2025
On Thursday at noon, a wildfire broke out in Thymari settlement by Palaia Fokaia in south-eastern Attica, with emergency line 112 to keep sending sms to residents and holidaymakers to evacuate.
🔥Μεγάλων διαστάσεων #Πυρκαγιά στην περιοχή Θυμάρι Παλαιάς Φώκαιας του νόμου #Αττικής.
Διακόπτεται η κυκλοφορία στην λεωφόρο Αθηνών – Σουνίου και γίνεται εκκένωση του θυμαριου. Η πυρκαγιά κατευθύνεται στην παραλιακή.
Μεγάλη κινητοποίηση της Πυροσβεστικής. pic.twitter.com/B9TFEAp6CP
— Εποχικοί Πυροσβέστες (@epoxpyrosvestes) June 26, 2025
While north-eastern wind blowing with 5 Beaufort and gusts 6 to 7 B constantly change directions, authorities instructions for evacuations from Thymari and Toukolimano change as well. While people were initially ordered to evacuate in the direction of Cape Sounion, they are now ordered to move towards the port of Lavrio and Lagonissi thus not using the coastal road.
130 fire-fighters with over 41 engines, are currently operating in the area, assisted by a total of 24 aerial means – water dropping aircraft and helicopters – as well as water trucks of the local municipality.
Fire Department Chief Lieutenant General Theodoros Vagias has ordered the dispatch of an arson investigation team to determine what started the wildfire.
The fire started around 12:30 in low-growing vegetation, between houses in Thymari toward the coast, with the fire department expressing fears that homes may be damaged.
“The fire is currently out of control. We do not yet know how many houses may have burned, as the fire passed through settlements along its path. The winds are very strong, while the front is heading towards the area of Harakas,” mayor of Lavreotiki, Dimitris Loukas, told news website newsit.gr.
Deputy major of Palaia Fokaia, Stavros Petropoulos, told Mega TV that residents told them “the fire started from cables of the power distribution network DEDDIE.
2 Coast Guard vessels and 9 private boats are on standby at sea in Palaia Fokaia to reportedly evacuate citizens if necessary.
Already 40 people, among them elderly and children, have been evacuated from the affected areas, the Fire Service reported.
Pets left behind being evacuated
Four messages via 112 were sent to residents to move away from the areas of Thymari, Tourkolimano, Katafygi and Haraka and Triantafyllia.
In should be recalled that there are permanent residents living along the villages and settlements as well as many families spending their summer vacations there.
In addition to the 90 fire fighters, including three units of the 1st and 4th EMODE on foot, a fleet of 28 vehicles, eight aircraft and five helicopters were being used to control the flames, with assistance from local authority water trucks.
Οι εθελοντές Σαμαρείτες – Διασώστες ενισχύουν τις προσπάθειες κατάσβεσης των σπιτιών που έχουν τυλιχθεί στις φλόγες στην περιοχή Θυμάρι στην Παλαιά Φώκαια, συμμετέχοντας παράλληλα στις προληπτικές εκκενώσεις των κατοικιών που απειλούνται άμεσα από τις φλόγες. #φωτια #πυρκαγια pic.twitter.com/jSfYUscnWm
— Ελληνικός Ερυθρός Σταυρός – Hellenic Red Cross (@greekredcross) June 26, 2025
Due to the fire, police have closed the Athens-Sounio coastal road of the Athens Riviera to traffic between the junction with Karamanlis Avenue and Panagia Katafygiotissa.
Βίντεο απο τον πατέρα μου στην περιοχή Θυμάρι Παλαιάς Φώκαιας… pic.twitter.com/yROuMqZO0s
— Chris was here (@chrisathenscity) June 26, 2025
So far (4:30 pm) there are no report of injuries caused by the wildfire.
Each and every summer, wildfires in Greece are devastating the country.
