Wildfire in Halkidiki forces hundreds of tourists to evacuate by sea as flames reach Greek resort hotels
A fast-moving wildfire erupted Thursday afternoon on the Kassandra peninsula in northern Greece, spreading across a 3-kilometer front through pine forests and prompting the evacuation of over 300 tourists from beaches, with 20 hotels cleared and two firefighters hospitalized.
Outbreak and spread
A wildfire erupted Thursday afternoon, August 13, in the forested Kassandra peninsula of Halkidiki, northern Greece, a region popular with Romanian tourists. The fire started between Kasandria and Siviri and, driven by winds reaching 100 km/h, spread rapidly toward the coastal villages of Siviri and Fourka. The fire front extended to approximately 3 kilometers, with flames reaching 20 to 30 meters in height through dense, highly flammable pine forests. Greek public broadcaster ERT reported that the blaze may have started when strong winds toppled an electricity pole, producing a spark that ignited dry vegetation, though authorities had not officially confirmed the cause. The fire advanced so quickly that within roughly two and a half hours it was burning across a three-kilometer front.
Evacuations by sea and land
Authorities issued three evacuation alerts through Greece's 112 emergency system. The first, sent shortly after 15:00, instructed people in Siviri to move toward Mola Kaliva. A second alert around 16:00 ordered Fourka residents and visitors to evacuate toward Skioni. As flames approached the coastline, the Hellenic Coast Guard began evacuating people from beaches by sea shortly after 17:00, using two Coast Guard vessels, nine private boats, and a high-speed ferry. Over 250 to 300 tourists and locals were evacuated from Siviri beach, with evacuees sheltered at Sani Beach. Twenty hotels were evacuated, and a special platform was created for hotels to report available rooms in real time. Volunteer firefighter Themis Ierissiotis told ERT that about 70% of people had evacuated the area.
- First 112 evacuation alert issued for Siviri, directing people toward Mola Kaliva
- Second 112 alert issued for Fourka, directing people toward Skioni
- Flames reach the first houses in Siviri
- Coast Guard begins sea evacuation of beachgoers from Siviri
- Fire begins to decrease in intensity
- Forest access restrictions take effect in Kassandra and Sithonia (8:00 to 20:00)
Firefighting response
The fire service mobilized 142 firefighters and 51 vehicles, supported by nine aircraft and seven helicopters, according to a statement on platform X. Twelve firefighters from Moldova, with three vehicles, participated under a European pre-positioning program. Two firefighters were hospitalized with minor injuries. Local resident Bogdan Donici told ProTV that within about an hour, 10 Canadair planes and 9 helicopters were deployed. Material damage included 2 to 3 houses affected and 2 to 3 cars destroyed. Fire service spokesperson Yannis Artopios told ERT that people on the beaches of Siviri and Fourka needed to be evacuated by sea as the fire was approaching dangerously close to the coast.
- Firefighters
- 142
- Vehicles
- 51
- Aircraft
- 9
- Helicopters
- 7
Other fires and ongoing risk
Greece faced 40 vegetation fires in 24 hours, with nine still active Thursday evening. Separate blazes were reported in Vartholomio (Ilia, Peloponnese), Makyneia (Nafpaktos), Potamoula, and Akontio (Boeotia). Authorities warned of strong winds with gusts exceeding 100 km/h over the following 48 hours. Stratos Gitsoudis, president of the Greek Forest Firefighters Association, told ERT that conditions were extreme and allowed very little reaction time. Vice-governor Giannis Koufidis announced restrictions on pedestrian and vehicle access to forest areas in the municipalities of Kassandra, Sithonia, and Aristotelis, effective Friday, August 14, from 8:00 to 20:00 in Kassandra and Sithonia, and until Saturday 8:00 in Aristotelis. Violators face a 300-euro fine.
Romanian consulate advisory
The Romanian Consulate General in Thessaloniki urged Romanian citizens in Halkidiki to follow 112 alerts and comply with Greek authorities' instructions, advising against non-essential travel. The consulate noted that many Romanian citizens vacation in Halkidiki during this period and asked them to remain vigilant and to share safety information with others in the area.
