Firefighting aircraft deployed as blaze burns agricultural land near Thessaloniki

Fire breaks out in agricultural land

A fire started around 14:30 on Tuesday 30 June in an agricultural area of Derveni, a locality within the municipality of Oreokastro outside Thessaloniki. Early reports described flames consuming wheat, dry grass and reeds, with a column of smoke visible from a considerable distance. The area is characterised by low vegetation and patches of combustible material, which allowed the fire to spread quickly under the influence of strong winds.

Emergency response scales up

Initial deployment involved 25 firefighters, nine vehicles and a single helicopter. Within the following hour the force was reinforced substantially. According to a later update from the fire service, 39 firefighters with one pedestrian team of the 2nd EMODE unit and 11 vehicles were operating at the scene, supported by volunteers. Aerial means grew to two helicopters and three aircraft. The Kathimerini newspaper reported a still higher figure of 55 firefighters, two pedestrian teams and 15 vehicles, plus five aircraft and two helicopters, indicating that resources continued to arrive as the afternoon progressed.

Alert sent to residents

At 15:40 the 112 emergency alert system was activated for the local population, instructing them to remain on standby and follow the authorities' directions.

“Remain on standby and follow the instructions of the authorities.”

No evacuation order was issued. The fire service said the flames were not yet threatening residential areas, although the strong winds were complicating suppression work.

Wind complicates efforts

Firefighters were contending with gusts that drove the fire across open fields. The abundance of dry fuel and the wind made it difficult to bring the perimeter under control despite the heavy aerial presence. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage to property, and the fire remained confined to farmland as of late afternoon.