Large wildfire in Oropos burns through pine forest under strong winds, Greece

A large wildfire broke out near Asprochori in Oropos, East Attica, Greece, on July 9, 2025, burning through pine forests under strong winds and prompting evacuations.

The fire erupted at approximately 12:00 local time (LT) on July 9, in a ravine near the village of Asprochori, Oropos municipality, East Attica, Greece. It rapidly spread through dense pine forest driven by strong northerly winds, prompting evacuation alerts and mobilization of significant firefighting resources.

By the early morning hours of July 10, fire officials reported that the situation had improved significantly due to calmer wind conditions. The Hellenic Fire Service deployed over 210 firefighters, 11 specialized forest commando teams (EMODE), and 51 ground vehicles. Aerial operations resumed with 13 aircraft and 8 helicopters assisting in flare-up containment.

Initial evacuations affected approximately 35 homes in the vicinity of Asprochori. Residents were directed toward the Athens-Lamia national road. No structural damages or casualties were reported by the time of writing.

Authorities maintained evacuation readiness for nearby facilities, including the Malakasa migrant reception center.

Local authorities, including the Attica Region and the Armed Forces, provided additional support with water tankers and heavy machinery. Volunteer groups also assisted in the firefighting efforts. The fire front remained active in rugged areas around Asprochori and Sykamino, complicating direct ground access.

References:

¹ East Attica fire shows improvement after overnight battle – Ekathimerini -July 10, 2025

Featured image credit: Weather Monitor

Reet Kaur

I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.

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