Wildfires near Thessaloniki trigger 112 alerts as firefighters battle two blazes

Two fires in one afternoon

Two separate wildfires ignited in the Thessaloniki area on Saturday, 4 July. The first was reported in low vegetation in Neoi Epivates, a coastal suburb southeast of the city. A second, larger fire broke out around 12:45 in a ravine with dry grass and reeds near Koufalia, northwest of Thessaloniki. Neither fire threatened homes or infrastructure, according to the fire service.

Emergency alert via 112

Residents in both areas received a warning message through Greece's emergency number 112. The message, quoted by NewsIT, read: "Agricultural-forest fire in Koufalia area of Thessaloniki Regional Unit. Remain on standby. Follow the instructions of the Authorities." A similar alert was sent for the Neoi Epivates fire.

Agricultural-forest fire in Koufalia area of Thessaloniki Regional Unit. Remain on standby. Follow the instructions of the Authorities.

Firefighting response

In Neoi Epivates, 15 firefighters with six vehicles, volunteers, one helicopter and water tankers from local municipalities worked to contain the flames. At Koufalia, a larger force was deployed: 26 firefighters, a pedestrian team from the 2nd EMODE (Special Disaster Response Unit), nine vehicles, volunteers, and two helicopters. Water tankers and earth-moving machinery from the Central Macedonia Region also assisted.

Aerial surveillance and investigation

The National Coordination Centre for Operations and Crisis Management (ESKEDIK) received a continuous live feed from a drone equipped with optical and thermal cameras throughout the Koufalia fire. A team from the Thessaloniki Directorate for Combating Arson Crimes was dispatched to the scene to investigate the cause of the blaze.

No immediate danger

By late afternoon, the fires were still active but under control, with no reports of injuries or property damage. The fire service continued operations to fully extinguish both fronts.