Wildfire threatens resort town of Porto Germeno near Athens

Porto Germeno – 01 August 2026: Thick smoke hangs over Porto Germeno on the Gulf of Corinth. A wildfire is tearing through the pine forests near the popular Greek coastal resort, with nearly 500 firefighters trying to keep the flames away from homes and beaches. Strong to gale-force winds are hampering operations in the region west of Athens.

The fire broke out on Friday near the neighboring coastal town of Agios Vasileios. On Saturday, authorities ordered further evacuations. According to reports so far, around 300 people were brought to safety by boat across the sea. The situation is particularly dangerous for residents, holidaymakers and emergency services because the few roads run through forested slopes and thick smoke can impair visibility.

Specialized wildfire-fighting units are deployed alongside ground crews. According to the Associated Press, 19 firefighting aircraft and 11 helicopters were on standby. Firefighters from France and Romania are supporting the Greek forces. Under the European civil protection mechanism, international teams had already been stationed in Greece for the 2026 fire season so they could respond quickly to major fires.

The Deputy Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Evangelos Tournas, pointed to exceptionally difficult wind conditions. Turbulence at times made it impossible for some aircraft to take on water or get close enough to the fire fronts. As a result, a significant part of the firefighting effort is falling on personnel on the ground. They are tasked with securing firebreaks, tackling hotspots and preventing the flames from spreading to inhabited areas.

The size of the burned area had not initially been officially quantified on Saturday. Theodore Giannaros, a wildfire meteorologist at the National Observatory of Athens, estimated the affected area at 40 to 50 square kilometers. This is not an official damage assessment. Confirmed information on destroyed buildings or injuries was also not initially available.

Porto Germeno lies on the coast of Attica between Thebes and Athens and is a popular destination because of its beaches and views across the Gulf of Corinth. During the summer months, far more people are there than during the rest of the year. At the same time, the rugged, densely forested coastal landscape makes evacuations difficult: if a fire spreads downhill, roads can quickly become impassable. Rescue by sea therefore provided an additional escape route.

Fires were also reported from other parts of Greece on Saturday. Several villages east of Nafpaktos received evacuation warnings. In Porto Germeno, emergency crews focused on preventing the flames from advancing toward homes and the coast.