A fire broke out in Halkidiki on Thursday afternoon, with 142 firefighters on the ground supported by aerial forces. Authorities have raised alert to the highest level, with winds of up to 100 km/h forecast for Friday.
A large forest fire broke out on Thursday afternoon in the tourist region of Halkidiki in northern Greece, prompting the mobilization of significant aerial forces and the evacuation of tourists. Firefighters reported on social media platform X that 142 firefighters and 51 vehicles are on the ground, supported by nine aircraft and seven helicopters.
About 90 kilometers south of Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city, the fire has engulfed wooded terrain. Civil protection has issued three evacuation orders covering the areas of Siviri and Fourka, where a large number of guests are currently present.
According to footage from Greek public broadcaster ERT, tourists at Fourka beach, still in swimwear and holding children, began calmly evacuating by sea. Dozens of people headed toward the pontoon to be evacuated by boat, while smoke blanketed the sky above the resort.
Fifteen small boats have been mobilized to transport all those who wish to leave, and the operation, according to ERT, is proceeding calmly without pushing or panic. Meanwhile, many vehicles attempted to flee the area, leading to massive traffic jams.
According to ERT, the fire front stretches for three kilometers, with flames in the dense pine forest reaching heights of 20 to 30 meters. "The fire started in low vegetation and continues to rage out of control; flames are approaching homes," ERT reported.
"The wind is very strong, contributing to the rapid spread of the fire, which is near residential areas in Siviri and Fourka. Conditions are extreme and leave us very little time to react," Stratos Gitsoudis, president of the Panhellenic Association of Forest Firefighters, told ERT.
Volunteer firefighter Themis Ierissiotis told ERT that the front is advancing toward the sea and that about 70 percent of people have been evacuated from the area.
Greek authorities were on the highest alert on Thursday due to extreme fire danger, level five, which was announced specifically for Attica, central Greece, and Halkidiki. Regional authorities in Halkidiki have banned all movement in forested areas.
Civil protection warns that the fire risk remains very high for Friday, with expected winds reaching speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour. Halkidiki is a popular summer destination, including among Croatian tourists.
