Wildfire near Patras triggers evacuations in Greece

Firefighting vehicle heads to wildfire on Chios island, Greece, 12 August, 2025.
Reuters

A wildfire on the Peloponnese peninsula near the city of Patras triggered evacuation orders for at least a dozen villages on Tuesday, 12 August, as fires continued to burn across Greece.

The fire in western Achaia spread rapidly through Patras’ industrial zone, which includes factories and farmland, destroying greenhouses and prompting authorities to warn nearby villages to evacuate. At least one warehouse was seen ablaze.

Fire crews comprising 78 firefighters, nine aircraft, and two helicopters are working to contain the blaze and protect homes and industrial facilities.

In addition to the fire near Patras, blazes were reported on the island of Zakynthos and various mainland regions, fueled by strong winds.

Meanwhile, firefighting efforts are also underway in Spain, Portugal, Türkiye, and the Balkans, where wildfires continue to pose serious challenges.

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