Outbreak and initial response

A wildfire ignited in a forested area near Agios Savvas on the Greek island of Kalymnos late on Wednesday, 22 July 2026. The Fire Service Operations Center was alerted at approximately 22:30 and immediately dispatched nine firefighters from the Kalymnos Volunteer Fire Station with four vehicles, supported by a municipal water tanker. The blaze broke out on a slope above the new road to Therma and moved toward higher ground, raising immediate fears it could reach a dense pine forest and a residential settlement located very close to the fire front. The area was under a high fire risk warning (category 3) at the time, which heightened the urgency of the response.

Night-long battle and containment

The initial force was quickly reinforced by the entire complement of the Kalymnos Volunteer Fire Station, including permanent, seasonal and volunteer personnel, along with all available fire engines. The operation was coordinated by Station Commander Polychronis Athanasakis and Deputy Commander Leonidas Magklaras. A pedestrian firefighting unit from the neighbouring island of Kos arrived to assist in the more inaccessible parts of the terrain, where the flames had advanced. Local residents and municipal workers also joined the effort, while one report indicated that aerial resources were deployed to support the ground crews. According to Mayor Giannis Mastrokoukos, the fire was brought under partial control by 1:30 am, roughly three hours after it started.

“The fire broke out shortly after 10:30 in the evening and after a coordinated operation by ground forces, it was brought under partial control around 1:30 in the morning.”

By the early hours of Thursday, 23 July, the fire was under full control. Strong forces remained on site throughout the night to tackle any flare-ups. As of Thursday morning, the fire no longer had an active front, and patrols continued to monitor the area until all risk was eliminated. The timely intervention prevented the flames from spreading into the adjacent forest and threatening homes. No injuries or property damage were reported.

A recurring threat

This was the second wildfire in the same area within a week. On 15 July, a fire had broken out in the heights opposite the Holy Monastery of Agios Savvas, with flames moving toward the locality of Pezoules. Strong winds at the time significantly complicated extinguishing efforts, requiring ground and aerial forces, volunteers and forest commandos from the 11th EMODE. Unlike that earlier blaze, the latest fire was contained relatively quickly, aided by calmer conditions and the rapid deployment of resources. The recurrence has nonetheless raised local alarm, as the island remains vulnerable during the summer fire season.

Investigation underway

The Dodecanese Arson Investigation Unit was activated to determine the cause of the latest fire. Authorities are examining whether the two fires are linked. The mayor praised the coordinated response, telling the Athens-Macedonian News Agency that the rapid containment averted a potentially dangerous situation. The island remains on alert as the summer fire season continues.