Wildfire in Siviri, Chalkidiki triggers sea evacuation of 481 as fire front subsides by nightfall

Fire breaks out near Siviri

A wildfire erupted around 14:00 on Thursday, 13 August, in the Siviri area of Chalkidiki, Greece, starting from agricultural-forest land and reaching the inhabited zone. According to ERT reporting cited by News 24/7, the fire is believed to have started when a power pole fell due to wind, producing a spark. Strong winds, dense vegetation, and the area's difficult terrain, including a lack of forest roads and paths, hampered ground forces' approach to the front. The fire threatened to spread south toward Elani, where dense forest vegetation combines with an extensive wildland-urban interface zone. Siviri and Fourka were evacuated from early afternoon.

Sea evacuation of 481 people

A large-scale sea evacuation operation removed residents and vacationers from the Siviri beachfront, coordinated by the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, the Unified Coordination Centre for Crisis Management (ESKEDIK), and the Coast Guard's Operations Centre. A fleet of two Coast Guard patrol boats, two Fire Service vessels, three fishing boats, private vessels, and the passenger-vehicle ferry "Speedrunner Jet" participated. By the operation's completion, 481 people had been safely evacuated: 285 were transferred to Sani Marina, and 196 boarded the "Speedrunner Jet" bound for the port of Thessaloniki, with expected arrival around 22:30. More than 15 volunteer civilian boats were also mobilized. No civilian injuries were reported during the evacuation. Three Coast Guard vessels, two Fire Service vessels, and private boats remained on standby in the area.

Firefighters injured and rescued

Two firefighters were lightly injured and transported to Polygyros Hospital, one with an ankle sprain and the other with minor burns, according to Naftemporiki and News 24/7. Iefimerida reported that three firefighters required hospital transport, a figure that may include a firefighter who collapsed from physical exhaustion while assisting citizens in the sea. A nearby Coast Guard officer, together with two fellow firefighters, pulled the unconscious man from the water and brought him to shore, where the officer placed him in a recovery position and administered oxygen. The incident was captured on video and broadcast by MEGA. Ioannis Artopoios, deputy press spokesperson of the Fire Service, told ERT that the sea transfer was underway so people would not be endangered by the fire itself or the smoke.

Fire subsides, damage assessed

By 21:00 on Thursday, the fire no longer had an active front, though scattered hotspots continued to burn. The Fire Service stated the fire's intensity had dropped but could not be characterized as under control. A total of 155 firefighters remained in the area battling scattered hotspots and rekindling risks through the night, with winds expected to strengthen. The fire caused material damage to houses and vehicles, according to images and testimony from locals. Beekeeper Theofanis Korsavidis told News 24/7 that his property and beehives were destroyed.

Our property is this. Our property burned. Our home burned. I have no words.

Infrastructure and return preparations

Electricity was restored around 21:00 only on the main road axis, with efforts continuing to restore power throughout the area. Crews from DEDDIE (the power distribution operator) and the Region of Central Macedonia were working on repairs, while generators were being brought in to power critical infrastructure such as pumping stations and the sewage treatment plant. Charalambos Stergiadis, head of the Civil Protection Directorate of the Central Macedonia Region, said the fire shows partial recession and expressed the assessment that, if conditions remain stable, the gradual return of residents could begin.