Policy Failures Leave Greece at Mercy of Wildfires
Dear Member,
This time, our roundup from Greece spans two weeks instead of the usual one, as mid-August marks the height of the holiday season.
Sadly, what should be a season of joy has once again turned into a time of dread, with wildfires ravaging the country in a grim annual pattern.
This August will also leave behind ashes — not only of landscapes and livelihoods, but of what remained of the country’s cultural and natural heritage.
In the meantime, the Greeks showed their solidarity with the people in Gaza, holding numerous protests all over the country.
Is the Greek main power company responsible for wildfires?
On Friday 8 August, a massive wildfire broke out (Si apre in una nuova finestra) in Keratea, East Attica, leaving one person dead — unable to escape from his home, which was completely destroyed by the flames.
The 76-year-old man was found dead (Si apre in una nuova finestra) in his home with his two dogs. The man, who lived alone in a simple structure 600 meters from the fire’s starting point, was discovered in bed, while his dogs, chained nearby, had also perished. Neighbours heard the dogs barking but could not approach.
The fire in Keratea scorched roughly 1,600 hectares (Si apre in una nuova finestra), sweeping through dozens of settlements in the municipalities of Lavreotiki and Saronikos, before splitting into four fronts. Dozens of houses, crops, warehouses, and other properties have been lost.
The ruling New Democracy party resorted (Si apre in una nuova finestra)once more to the same excuses. East Attica New Democracy MP Vasilis Oikonomou stressed that the Keratea fire had a “large front” and “fierce winds.” At the same time, he assured that there had been a “massive effort” by firefighting authorities to contain it.
The government announced (Si apre in una nuova finestra) compensation for the people affected. The amounts range from €2,000 to €6,000 depending on the damage of the house, while monthly rent assistance was set at €300–€500, retroactively applied.
The investigation is examining (Si apre in una nuova finestra) whether the fire was sparked by a fault in the poorly maintained Greek Power Distribution Network Operator (DEDDIE) power network, as at least two witnesses claimed it did.
Two employees of the Greek Power Distribution Network Operator (DEDDIE) were detained (Si apre in una nuova finestra) on 9 August on suspicion of negligence in network maintenance that caused the wildfire of Keratea. They were later released (Si apre in una nuova finestra). The company called the detention of the two employees “absurd,” noting that the Fire Service has yet to release its findings on the blaze’s cause.
Former deputy fire chief and judicial expert Andrianos Gourbatsis has called (Si apre in una nuova finestra) for an immediate inspection of Greece’s electricity network after a series of wildfires this summer, particularly in Attica. In a post on X following the deadly Keratea blaze, Gourbatsis urged the Supreme Court prosecutor to investigate maintenance levels and possible links to the fires.
Sixteen SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance MPs submitted a parliamentary question (Si apre in una nuova finestra) and document request to the Ministries of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection and Environment & Energy. They seek answers on the role of DEDDHE in causing and spreading wildfires in Eastern Attica, following reports and resident testimonies that a recent fire in Keratea was triggered by a short circuit in a cut cable under DEDDHE’s responsibility.
The MPs demand details on the causes of 2025 fires across several Attica areas, including Lavrio, Rafina, Asprochori Oropos, Agia Marina Koropi, Thymari Saronikos, Drosopigi Afidnes, and Manoutso Keratea.
A mayor in Saronikos area for example had stated (Si apre in una nuova finestra) at the end of June that the fire in the area had reportedly started from a spark of DEDDIE cables. In December 2024 a report had linked a wildfire in Varnava, Eastern Attica, to a wooden electricity pole.
The SYRIZA MPs also request information on DEDDHE’s preventive measures, progress on underground cable projects, conductor replacements, vegetation clearing contracts, and possible sanctions if DEDDHE is found responsible.
Meanwhile, on 11 August another wildfire broke out in Messinia, Peloponnese. Residents in the area had reported sparks (Si apre in una nuova finestra) from an electricity pole to DEDDHE three days earlier. The Fire Service’s Investigative Department is conducting a probe and has inspected the site.
The fire spread quickly with flames approaching the first houses. Residents received an emergency 112 evacuation alert to move toward Meligalas.
Wildfires are raging across the country
A large wildfire broke out (Si apre in una nuova finestra) also on 8 August on Kefalonia island. It forced the evacuation of three villages: Karavados, Dorizata, and Kerameies. The blaze, fueled by strong winds, broke out in three separate locations near homes, leading the mayor of Argostoli to suspect arson. The fire was brought under full control more than seven hours after it started.
A second destructive wave of wildfires broke out on 12-13 August.
The first fire alerts on Tuesday came from Zante island, Arta and Vonitsa (Northwest Greece), followed later by new fronts, mainly in Achaia prefecture (Peloponnese), and Chios island, News247 reported (Si apre in una nuova finestra).
The blaze that started in the Flogeres Erymanthos area of Achaia quickly grew out of control. It reached the industrial zone of the major city of Patras and swept through the village of Peristera, destroying several homes.
The blaze reached the wider area of Patras. Homes were burned in Tsoukaleika village, damage was reported in Vrachneika village, two factories burned in the industrial zone, many homes were lost in Moireika and other villages, the settlement of Achaiko was endangered, the fire passed through Kamenitsa and Alissos, Ano Achaia was evacuated, and businesses in Kaminia suffered damage.
Fire victims told (Si apre in una nuova finestra) ERT that “for the fire hydrants to work, they must be connected to the dam — but this hasn’t happened for 6–7 years.” Similar complaints were made after the total destruction in Dadia, News247 commented (Si apre in una nuova finestra).
On 13 August in the morning, the blaze was just a breath away (Si apre in una nuova finestra) from the premises of the Region of Western Greece in Patras.
At the time these lines were written, the extent of damage could not be assessed, nor the number of animals lost.
In Zante, the fire encircled the village of Agalas in the southwest, killing livestock and destroying homes, farmland, and livestock facilities. Preliminary estimates report 1,500 hectares burned, including forests and farmland.
Agalas was the worst-hit area in Zante during the first 24 hours. Homes, businesses, and crops suffered severe damage. From Agalas to Keri, hotels were preventatively evacuated. Residents and business owners started returning the following day.
Homes, crops, and animals were also lost (Si apre in una nuova finestra) in Vonitsa, in the northwest.
In nearby Preveza, a major fire erupted, with the largest front in Filippiada, where 10–12 homes reportedly burned.
On Chios island, a Natura 2000 area was destroyed (Si apre in una nuova finestra) by the wildfires. This island suffered a second catastrophe as, in late June, over 6,200 hectares were burned around the city of Chios, reaching the southwest, near the Mastic Villages.
Residents in Chios complained (Si apre in una nuova finestra) about a lack of coordination and firefighting resources. The largest front this time was near Volissos, where people had to be evacuated from beaches by Coast Guard boats.
At the time of writing, the villages of Amani and Volissos at Chios had been evacuated. Apart from forest areas, houses, livestock farms, warehouses, cars and churches were reported (Si apre in una nuova finestra) burned. “The destruction at Volissos is total,” deputy mayor for Civil Protection of Chios, Konstantinos Michalopoulos, stated (Si apre in una nuova finestra) on the morning of 13 August. He added that at that moment, a virgin forest was burning in Chalandra and that, while the wind had slightly improved, “wherever one turns their gaze—west, north, east—they see fire fronts."
Greece has requested assistance from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which responded with four aircraft.
Circa 10,000 hectares of land (Si apre in una nuova finestra) have been affected by the wildfires of 12-13 August.
Three firefighters in Achaia were hospitalised (Si apre in una nuova finestra) with heatstroke, one in Aetolia-Acarnania with an upper limb injury, and one in Filippiada with burns. In Chios, ten firefighters and two volunteers received first aid.
Dozens of citizens (Si apre in una nuova finestra) were carried to hospitals as wildfires are raging in Greece.
Who is to blame?
Every year, the same wildfire scenario is repeated in Greece. The climate crisis has certainly exacerbated the problem, but the core issue remains political choices — ranging from destructive “investments” to anti-environmental legislation and band-aid measures that, instead of offering protection, are often reported as worsening the situation.
One of these policies is the Antinero programme, which is supposed to be the main tool to prevent the country’s wildfires.
A 206-page report was submitted (Si apre in una nuova finestra) late May to the European Parliament and the European Court of Auditors, which exposed serious environmental and legal violations in Greece’s Antinero forest protection program. Co-signed by 213 environmental organizations and active citizens, the report alleges that the program —intended to safeguard forests from wildfires— causes ecological damage, circumvents environmental permitting, and violates EU directives on habitats, birds, and funding programs.
The report highlights destructive practices such as clearing undergrowth and using heavy machinery during sensitive periods, resulting in tree deaths, ecosystem disruption, and increased wildfire risk. It also raises concerns about conflicts of interest, mismanagement of EU funds, lack of transparency, and potential criminal liability of officials overseeing the program.
The signatories urged the European institutions to investigate the program, suspend its funding, hold responsible parties accountable, and ensure full restoration of affected forests.
Greeks for Gaza
On 10 August, Greeks came together (Si apre in una nuova finestra) in cities, towns and villages, in big and small islands and raised their voices against Israel’s war on Gaza, expressing their solidarity with the starving and desperate Palestinians.
Protests in solidarity took place in more than 105 (Si apre in una nuova finestra) cities, towns and villages in Greece - even on vacation islands like Naxos and Astypalaia.
This time, the Greek government joined voices at the UN Security Council with the UK, Denmark, France and Slovenia and issued a joint statement ahead of the UNSC Emergency Meeting on Gaza, condemning Israel’s decision to expand military operations in Gaza.
The statement says (Si apre in una nuova finestra) Israel risks violating international humanitarian law and called on the country to reverse their decision, emphasising among others that any attempt to annex or expand settlements also exacerbates the already catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.
On 10 August, two Greek Air Force cargo planes dropped 8.5 tonnes of food supplies (Si apre in una nuova finestra) over Gaza, in a mission coordinated by Greece’s foreign and defence ministries with Jordanian authorities. Using a C-130H and a C-27J, supported by Special Warfare Command personnel, the aid was delivered to designated drop zones and monitored in real time by the National Operations Centre.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said (Si apre in una nuova finestra) the EU–Middle East operation aimed to meet urgent needs in the war-torn region, pledging Greece’s continued push for a ceasefire, hostage release, and unrestricted humanitarian access.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew called (Si apre in una nuova finestra) developments in Gaza “a true disgrace to the human race, to all of humanity.” The spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christians worldwide made this statement on 7 August. “We are watching with abhorrence the scenes of civilians, of innocent children, dying of hunger, but also of hostages digging their own graves. It is a true disgrace to the human race, to all of humanity,” Bartholomew said.
Read
Τhe Mediterranean Wings of the Underworld: (Si apre in una nuova finestra) How a Greek airline is linked to wanted arms, drugs and migrant traffickers in Syria and Libya who are roaming like free birds, while Greek and European authorities remain silent.
Probe into EU farm funds fraud in Greece widens (Si apre in una nuova finestra)
EU Prosecutor Investigates Greek Politician Over Subsidy Claims (Si apre in una nuova finestra)
Mitsotakis höhlt systematisch den Rechtsstaat aus (Si apre in una nuova finestra)
Greek Government Policies Drive Fresh Surge in Rental Prices (Si apre in una nuova finestra)
Everything has consequences (Si apre in una nuova finestra)
The city’s transformation (Si apre in una nuova finestra)
Outdated rules guide ferry departures (Si apre in una nuova finestra)
Cash withdrawal from ATM in Greece without fees as of Aug 11 (Si apre in una nuova finestra)
Tourist falls from Lycabettus Hill in Athens, while taking a selfie (Si apre in una nuova finestra)
French tourists stabbed and robbed by taxi driver in Athens (Si apre in una nuova finestra)
Tourists couple drown in Sarakiniko on Milos island (Si apre in una nuova finestra)
Greedy Greek Goat Causes a Snack-Time Stir on Syvota Beach (Si apre in una nuova finestra)
Health Ministry bans swimming in 13 beaches of Attica (Si apre in una nuova finestra)
A refuge for wildlife in the capital (Si apre in una nuova finestra)
That’s all for this week; please forward this email to anyone you think might find it interesting and ask them to join our international community!
The AL team
