Fiery hell across the country – evacuations, burned-down houses and merciless fire fronts. Fortunately, not yet on Crete…

Fires in Achaia, Preveza and Chios: The flames threaten settlements and destroy everything in their path

Strong winds are making it tough for firefighters to control several active blazes across Achaia, Preveza, and Chios.

Fire crews use both ground teams and aircraft, but gusts reaching 6 to 8 on the Beaufort scale are really getting in the way.

The situation feels tense as emergency alerts urge residents to evacuate in affected areas.

The most challenging fire front right now is in the Preveza region.

Authorities have issued multiple evacuation warnings via emergency messages, including for the town of Filippiada.

Communities here face urgent threats while firefighters press on under tough conditions to contain the flames.

Key Takeaways

• Multiple fire fronts are active in western Greece and the islands.
• Strong winds are slowing firefighting and forcing evacuations.
• Emergency alerts have been crucial in keeping communities informed.

Two Active Fire Fronts in Chios

In northwestern Chios, two significant wildfires are still active after starting on Tuesday, 12 August.

The fires are burning through forested and low vegetation areas, and they’re giving firefighters a real headache.

The first fire front sits between the villages of Pirama and Parparia.

The second, which is more intense and harder to control, is near Perdika and moving toward the settlements of Sidiroúnta, Dieuha, and Chalándra.

Firefighting crews are throwing most of their resources near Spartounta, hoping to keep the flames away from Chalándra.

Around 2:00 pm, authorities sent out an evacuation alert for Spartounta, telling residents to head toward Kardámila for safety.

Strong northwesterly winds—about 6 on the Beaufort scale—keep spreading the fire and making things even trickier.

Current Focus Areas

Weather Conditions

• Wind Speed: Approximately 6 Beaufort
• Wind Direction: Northwesterly
• Effect: Encourages rapid fire spread, hinders aerial and ground firefighting actions

Ground teams and aerial support are both in play as they try to contain the fires as quickly as possible.

Evacuations and safety measures stay front and center for local authorities, especially with the fire fronts so close to inhabited areas.

Firefighting Efforts in Achaia

The firefighting operation in Achaia is a big one.

There are 222 firefighters on the ground, with 71 fire trucks, 8 specialized foot teams, 7 aircraft, and 5 helicopters backing them up.

It’s a serious response, and it needs to be, considering how quickly these fires have spread.

One critical focus is the area near the municipal landfill site of Patras.

Fire crews are doing their best to keep flames away from this spot, which holds important equipment—refuse trucks, tankers, storage facilities, the works.

Both aerial water drops and ground crews aim to contain the blaze and keep those municipal assets safe.

Wind and terrain don’t make it easy.

In the Sichaina area, strong winds and a rugged landscape put up a real fight against the crews.

High temperatures aren’t helping either, raising the risk of flare-ups and making containment harder.

Things are still tough in Vounteni, where fire lines remain active.

The threat near Kato Achaia looks smaller now, though—recent fires there aren’t showing big advancing fronts anymore.

Just some minor flare-ups stick around, mostly in parts of western and northern Patras.

Key points of the operation include:

Aerial and ground resources work together to hold containment lines and protect important infrastructure and homes.

Firefighters stay ready for new flare-ups, since weather changes can turn the tide fast.

Teams keep reassessing and tweaking their tactics to deal with the tough terrain.

The main goal is to stop any more spread into vulnerable parts of western Achaia.

Coordination between fire crews and municipal services is key for managing equipment and keeping safety protocols on track.

It’s one of the hardest battles they’ve faced, with unpredictable winds and a complex landscape.

The scale of the response and the steady pace show how determined everyone is to get these blazes under control.

Balancing aerial water drops with tough ground work is at the heart of their strategy.

Fighting the Fires on Two Fronts in Preveza

Firefighting teams are working hard against two separate fire lines in the area of Gymnotopos near Preveza.

Since early morning, aerial units have been dropping water to try to control the flames.

But strong winds—up to 8 Beaufort—keep feeding the fire, making suppression really tough.

The first fire front is pushing toward the villages of Rizovouni and Romia.

The second moves in the direction of Dryofyto and Pantanassa, both heading closer to Filippiada.

To help from above, five planes and two helicopters are in action.

Emergency warnings from the 112 alert system have gone out to several areas.

Just before 1 pm, people in Gorgomylo, Neo Gorgomylo, Vathy, and Tsangkaropoulo were told to move toward Five Wells.

Gymnotopos residents got instructions to head toward Filippiada for safety.

Later, around 2:45 pm, another alert told folks in Old and New Filippiada to evacuate and cross the Kalogiros bridge toward Arta.

Strong winds and rugged terrain make fighting these two fire zones a real challenge.

Volunteer groups have joined the professional firefighters, giving a much-needed boost on the ground.

Their help is crucial for protecting homes and limiting damage to rural areas.

Aerial and ground firefighting units, including volunteers, are all in the mix.

Their job isn’t easy, with winds at 8 Beaufort driving the fire and scattering embers everywhere.

Volunteers in Preveza keep stepping up—helping evacuate residents, delivering supplies, and pitching in at command centers.

Their role is vital, especially since the weather keeps everything up in the air.

Coordinated responses between professional teams and volunteers help them manage resources better in both fire zones.

They’re constantly watching for wind changes and fire spread to decide where to send aircraft and firefighters next.

The top priority is to protect communities around Filippiada and stop the fire from moving into more populated or sensitive natural areas.

Emergency services stay on high alert, ready to send out more evacuation orders if things get worse.

Evacuation Alerts from 112 for the Preveza Wildfire

At 10:51 AM, the emergency alert system 112 sent out a fresh evacuation warning for Old Filippiada. They told residents to head for New Filippiada—definitely not a message you want to get before lunch.

Communities near the expanding wildfire keep getting these urgent 112 messages. Villagers around Preveza have been told to leave their homes right away, which really says a lot about how serious things are.

Locals say the situation is extremely tough. In Pantanassa and Dryofyto, homes have already burned down.

Firefighters and volunteers have worked through the night, trying to keep the flames back and save what they can. It’s exhausting work, and the mood is tense.

A resident from Pantanassa said the fire destroyed several houses, but thankfully, no one’s been hurt so far. Now the forest near Agios Ioannis, which had been untouched, is burning too, and that’s got people worried for other nearby villages.

Key points from the 112 warnings:

The constant stream of 112 alerts really shows how unpredictable this wildfire is. Authorities keep urging people to listen and leave fast.

Emergency crews stay on the ground, organizing evacuation routes and battling the fire. There’s a sense of urgency, and everyone’s hoping the wind doesn’t change for the worse.

Current Situation of the Fire in Chios

The wildfire on Chios just keeps spreading. There are two main fronts right now, and the wind—blowing at a solid 6 on the Beaufort scale—is making everything harder.

Firefighters have thrown everything they’ve got near Spartounta, hoping to stop the flames from reaching Halandra. The situation remains critical, and crews are working flat out in this area.

Just after 2 pm, officials ordered Spartounta residents to evacuate. They told everyone to head to Kardamyla, just in case the fire changed direction.

Earlier, at 12:39 pm, the 112 system sent a message to people near Kampia, telling them to get out and move toward Kardamyla for safety. Not the kind of text anyone wants to receive.

The first fire front is moving between Pirama and Parparia. That one’s spreading less aggressively, so crews feel a bit more confident about containing it.

The second front is a bigger problem. It’s near Perdika and heading towards Sidirounta, Diefcha, and Halandra—tough terrain and strong winds make this section a real headache for firefighters.

Fire crews on the ground work closely with aerial units, trying to slow the fire’s advance. The wind keeps pushing the flames, making every step forward feel like two steps back.

Evacuations and Safety Measures:

• Spartounta residents told to go to Kardamyla.
• Kampia residents got an immediate evacuation warning.
• Local authorities send out constant alerts to protect nearby communities.

Teams are focusing on keeping the fire away from more populated areas. They’re working to hold control lines and keep critical spots safe along the fire’s path.

The wind changes a lot, so crews have to watch the fire constantly and adjust their plans. Emergency services stay on high alert, ready to move as the situation shifts.

This ongoing fire in Chios isn’t the only one burning in the region, but it’s pulling in a lot of resources and attention right now.

Source: CretaLive

Fire-Affected Animals: The Quiet Tragedy Beyond the Flames

When wildfires hit, everyone talks about lost homes and cars. But the animals—both wild and domestic—get almost no mention, which feels pretty unfair.

People might count up lost sheep or chickens for insurance, and sometimes there’s a bit of compensation. But wild animals like deer, boars, foxes, and hedgehogs just disappear from the story. No one keeps track; their loss is invisible.

Volunteers, though, step up in a big way for animals left behind. They break open gates, cut ropes, and carry pets and strays out of danger zones. Some of the animals are burned or hurt, but they survive thanks to these quick rescues.

Temporary shelters pop up, often run by volunteers and a few vets. They know wildfires don’t just destroy houses—they wipe out whole ecosystems.

Birds lose nests, mammals lose homes and food, and the list goes on: wild boars, deer, foxes, rabbits, and so many birds suddenly have nowhere to go.

Most people just watch the news and move on, but a dedicated few rush toward the flames to save whatever animals they can find. It’s tough, gritty work that rarely makes headlines.

If you ask me, the tragedy for animals in wildfires is just as real as the human loss, even if it’s quieter. Rescue and protection for wildlife and pets should be part of every emergency response—otherwise, we’re missing a huge piece of the story.

For more on this, check out the page about fire-affected animals and the silent toll they pay.

Drone Flies Near Helicopter During Firefighting Effort in Patras

On the afternoon of Wednesday, 13 August, people spotted a drone flying way too close to a Chinook helicopter. The helicopter was busy dumping water on a wildfire near Patras, and the drone’s presence just made things a whole lot riskier.

Thankfully, the two aircraft didn’t collide. That could’ve been a disaster—damage, injuries, who knows?

The incident got folks talking about how drone operators need to take responsibility, especially around emergencies. Flying a drone near firefighting aircraft can distract pilots and put both the crew and folks on the ground at risk.

Authorities are now trying to track down whoever was flying that drone. They want to make sure this kind of thing doesn’t happen again.

Eyewitnesses reported the drone, and emergency services later confirmed it. Honestly, flying a drone in the middle of a wildfire operation just seems reckless.

Drones get in the way of the coordinated work needed to get wildfires under control. It’s not just annoying—it’s dangerous.

Officials are reminding everyone: flying drones near emergency operations is illegal and, let’s face it, pretty irresponsible. The Patras incident is just another example of why people need to respect airspace restrictions during critical missions.

Rescue teams have enough to worry about without dodging unexpected drones. Their job is tough enough already.

If you want more details or updates, check out the full report on the drone flying near the firefighting helicopter during the Patras wildfire.

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