Greece's Ongoing Wildfire Situation: Key Areas Affected and Safety Tips for Travellers

Wildfires continue to ravage Greece, with key areas like Kos, Serifos, Athens, and Chios affected by the ongoing blazes. Prime Minister Mitsotakis warns of challenging times ahead as hotter, drier, and windier summers worsen the situation. Travellers cautioned to monitor updates, follow official guidance, and consider safer areas like Sporades and Cyclades Islands for holidays.

Greece's Ongoing Wildfire Situation

Numerous wildfires broke out in Greece over the weekend, driven by hot, windy weather. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has warned that the most challenging times lie ahead. The Mediterranean nation, which frequently experiences wildfires, has seen increased destructiveness in recent years due to hotter, drier, and windier summers, exacerbated by climate change.

Key areas affected include:

Kos: Hundreds evacuated as a major wildfire reached Kardamaina. The fire, which abated by Tuesday morning, caused no building damage.
Serifos: A fire started in low vegetation on June 29, spreading rapidly due to strong winds and damaging holiday cottages and storehouses.
Athens (Parnitha mountain forest): Subsiding fires prompted evacuations in surrounding areas.
Chios: Continued fires led to the evacuation of the Metohi neighborhood with residents directed to a nearby beach.

The UK’s Foreign Office advises monitoring wildfires from April to October, as wildfires are unpredictable. Travelers should follow official updates, heed local emergency services’ guidance, and remain in close contact with airlines or tour operators for travel arrangements.

Some safer areas not affected by the wildfires include the Sporades (Alonissos, Skiathos, Skopelos, and Skyros), northern Thessaloniki resorts, and several Cyclades Islands. These locations continue to host holidays as usual.