One after the other we in southern Athens heard and saw water-dropping Canadair aircraft early Monday afternoon rushing further to the south to fill up their baskets with sea water and return to the foot of Hymettus mountain to download it to the flames of a wildfire.
A huge mobilization of aerial means with 8 helicopters 11 aircraft , at least 110 firefighters and volunteers, 45 engines and municipality water tanks was set up as soon as the fire broke out around 2:30 p.m. close to the Zografou suburb and Katehaki Avenue as well as close to Papagou-Holargos suburbs in north-eastern Athens.
Mayor of Papagou Holargos, Ilias Apostolopoulos, told state broadcaster ERT that one fire broke out at the premises of the Chemistry Department of the university campus in Zografou and a second one short time later.
Civil Protection sent via emergency line <112> sms messages to residents urging them to be on alert and follow the instructions of the authorities.
⚠️ Activation 1️⃣1️⃣2️⃣
🆘 Wildfire in the area of #Polytechneioupoli #Zografou, of the regional unit of #Attiki
‼️ Stay alert and follow the instructions of the Authorities
ℹ️ https://t.co/S63M24Fq0V@pyrosvestiki@hellenicpolice
— 112 Greece (@112Greece) July 28, 2025
Traffic police cordoned and halted traffic in main avenues of the area including the exit of attiki Odos to Katehaki, Kareas-Alimos, while it advises motorists to avoid driving into certain areas.
South-western winds are currently blowing with intensity of 3 Beaufort with gust at 4 B sending the smoke toward the North.
The fire is dangerously close to the NE suburbs of Athens.
Authorities reassures that no citizens or properties are in danger and that the picture on the ground is much better due to the quick mobilization of the firefighting forces.
A wildfire in the outskirts of Athens in August 2024 damaged over 100 properties and cost a worker’s life.
Athens and Attica as well as other regions through out Greece were set on Very High Fire Risk 0 Risk Category 4 – on Monday, July 28, 2025.
A Very High Fire Risk warning has been issued by the Civil Protection also for Tuesday, July 29.
Χάρτης Πρόβλεψης Κινδύνου 🔥για αύριο Τρίτη 29/07
🟠 Πολύ υψηλός κίνδυνος 4️⃣ σε:
📍 #Αττική & #Κύθηρα #Βοιωτία #Φωκίδα
📍 #Αργολίδα #Κορινθία #Μεσσηνία #Λακωνία
📍 #Χανιά #Ρέθυμνο #Ηράκλειο
📍 περιοχές #Εύβοια #Φθιώτιδα #Αχαΐα & #Αρκαδία🟡 Υψηλός κίνδυνος 3️⃣ στην αρκετές… pic.twitter.com/pCtBOr3OKI
— Πυροσβεστικό Σώμα (@pyrosvestiki) July 28, 2025
