A big wildfire is raging in Karavados area on the island of Kefalonia in the Ionian Sea on Friday, August 8, 2025. Residents and tourists of three villages have been urged to evacuate.
The fire broke out on Friday morning and spread quickly due to strong winds blowing in the area.
Strong forces of the Fire Service are operating at the scene, as the fire has reached large dimensions dangerously close to houses and is being reinforced by the strong winds blowing in the area.
Ground forces and water-dropping aerial means operate on site, while reinforcements are also arriving from Lixouri.
A message sent earlier to mobiles via the emergency line <112> to residents urged residents and visitors of “Karavados, Dorizata and Kerameies to evacuate towards Argostoli.”
Speaking to state broadcaster ERT, the Mayor of Argostoli, Theofilos Michalatos, expressed suspicion of arson. He stated that the fire broke out in three different outbreaks, of which only one remains active early afternoon.
“We had three fires. Logically, these are arson. We dealt with two outbreaks and now we are fighting the third front, which is burning near houses. The weather is not in our favor,” Michalatos said.
He also noted that the fire broke out just 10 meters from houses.
Local media inkefalonia.gr reported at 12.23 that 9 water-dropping aircraft and helicopters are attempting to extinguish the fire front located on the ridge of Agios Andreas.
UPDATE
In a post at 5:40 p.m., inkefalonia reported: The struggle of the Fire Department, the volunteer forest fire fighters and the water tankers of the Municipality of Argostoli was unstoppable until the afternoon as the resurgence of the large fire in Livathos continued with unabated intensity, while new outbreaks broke out in unburned areas, causing concern and intensifying operations.
The winds blowing in the area significantly complicated the situation, as they fed the outbreaks and led the fire in new directions, with the fire fronts being fully controlled, more than 7 hours after it started.
This is so sad every year we hear of fires in this lovely part of world, destroying land and property. The firefighters do a fantastic job under very harsh conditions. If it was for them a lot of the land in Kefalonia and other parts of Greece would have been destroyed. My heartfelt thank you for these amazing people. Shame on the people who try to creat havoc without consideration of what and who they harm.
sometimes it’s not arson on intention or negligence but a lightning or -this year quite often- not maintained power poles.
Everyone, please stay safe on the beautiful Island.