Multiple Wildfires Burn Near Thessaloniki Homes, Residents Evacuated
Multiple wildfires broke out across the Thessaloniki region on Saturday evening, with the most dangerous blaze tearing through the Oreokastro suburb and forcing the evacuation of the entire Anthoupoils neighborhood. Emergency alert 112 sent residents an order to leave immediately and head toward the Titan area. The fire is burning out of control near homes and businesses, with reports of structures already destroyed and explosions heard at the scene.
Some 40 firefighters with 20 vehicles are battling the Oreokastro fire, supported by water tankers and heavy machinery from the Region of Central Macedonia. A drone operated by ESKDIK is providing continuous thermal and optical surveillance of the blaze. Arson investigators from the Thessaloniki unit have also deployed to the scene to look into the cause.
"Extremely difficult" — Nea Kallikrateia deputy mayor for Civil Protection, describing conditions with homes under threat.
Two firefighters were taken to the 424 Military Hospital in Thessaloniki after suffering respiratory problems from smoke inhalation. The chronic illness care facility Agios Panteleimon was also evacuated as a precaution. A thick cloud of smoke has blanketed much of the city center, with the smell of burning spreading across multiple neighborhoods due to strong winds.
A second major fire is burning near Nea Kallikrateia in Chalkidiki, where the deputy mayor for Civil Protection described conditions as "extremely difficult" with homes under threat. Some 45 firefighters, 12 vehicles, 5 aircraft, and 3 helicopters are fighting that blaze. A third fire broke out in Leipsydrio, Kilkis, with 55 firefighters and aerial support deployed, though no homes are currently at risk there.
A fourth fire was reported in low vegetation at Neos Epivates in the Thessaloniki regional unit, with 15 firefighters, 6 vehicles, and a helicopter on scene.
