Much of Europe is experiencing one of the hottest summers on record, with a series of heatwaves, some lasting weeks at a time, casting relentless heat across countless holiday hotspots. Temperatures have exceeded 40°C across countries including France, Spain and Portugal and, at the time of writing (29 July), there appears to be little relief on the horizon.
Such scorching temperatures exponentially increase the risk of wildfires, and recent months have seen devastating fires across several countries – some of the latest being the catastrophic French wildfires near Bordeaux.
Now, as of 29 July, new wildfires in Greece are threatening residents and holidaymakers. The most significant of these fires was first reported on the afternoon of 28 July on the island of Paros, in the Cyclades. Firefighters have been battling the fire overnight as it got out of control. Euronews reports that the fire began in the Kampi area, near the island’s landfill site, but quickly moved onto dry terrain. While the fire was reported to be under control at one stage, its spread into areas with limited vehicle access has caused it to flare up again.
The most recent wildfires in northern Greece come after a fire broke out north-west of the Greek city of Thessaloniki at approximately 2.30pm on 30 June, with BBC News reporting deaths near a village destroyed by the blaze in Liti. More than 100 firefighters, equipped with dozens of fire engines and at least seven aircraft, battled the flames, reporting that a woman was rescued with burn injuries. The disaster came as Thessaloniki continued to experience extreme temperatures, with highs exceeding 35°C.
The launch of the country’s world-leading satellite technology designed to detect and track wildfires has just launched. Created by OroraTech, the Hellenic Fire System consists of four dedicated wildfire-monitoring satellites for Greece, launched on SpaceX rockets from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California ahead of the 2026 summer season.
Due to the heat, Greek authorities recently prohibited outdoor and manual labour in areas in the Attica region, which includes Athens, in addition to other areas in Central Greece and the eastern Peloponnese.
Is it safe to travel to Greece?
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) notes that wildfire risk in Greece increases during the summer months, primarily between April and October. Travellers are encouraged not to leave any litter, especially glass, as it can trigger fires, to ensure that cigarettes are properly extinguished, and to refrain from igniting barbecues.
