Wildfire in Oreokastro, Thessaloniki forces mass evacuations, factories ablaze
A large wildfire that broke out Saturday evening in Oreokastro, Thessaloniki, has spread rapidly, burning factories and forcing the evacuation of several settlements and a care home for people with chronic illnesses.
Outbreak and rapid spread
A wildfire ignited around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2026, in an agroforestry area of Oreokastro, a suburb north of Thessaloniki. Strong winds fanned the flames, causing the fire to grow quickly and move towards residential and industrial zones. Thick black smoke drifted south, becoming visible from the city center and carrying a strong smell of burning across many districts. The municipality of Pavlos Melas urged residents of Eukarpia to stay indoors and keep windows shut.
Evacuations ordered
At 8:52 p.m., the 112 emergency alert system sent a message ordering residents of Anthoupoli to evacuate towards the Titan area. Later, at 1:19 a.m. on Sunday, a second message redirected Anthoupoli residents to the Lití stadium. At 1:44 a.m., residents of Filothei were told to leave for the Eukarpia indoor gym. Earlier alerts had also called for readiness and evacuation of Ampelakia and Kipoupoli towards Nea Kallikrateia. The chronic illness foundation "Agios Panteleimonas" was preventively evacuated: 157 people with special needs were moved by four buses. Reports differ on the split: one account says 120 went to Kontaxopouleio indoor gym and 37 to the Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki, while another cites 100 and 57 respectively.
Industrial zone ablaze
Flames entered the local industrial zone, where at least one factory was completely burned. Authorities expressed fears that other facilities containing flammable or hazardous materials could also catch fire. Continuous explosions were heard, linked to businesses that had been engulfed. There were unconfirmed reports of burned homes as well.
The situation is somewhat under control, as far as we understand. It has been confined to a specific point, where the factories are right now. The smoke is suffocating, heading south towards the city, not towards Oreokastro. At first light, I think the firefighting planes will be deployed to fully control the situation. It was a difficult operation.
Firefighting efforts and injuries
Firefighting forces were steadily reinforced. By the latest update, 150 firefighters with 5 pedestrian units and 48 vehicles were operating on the front, assisted by volunteers, water tankers, and earth-moving machinery from the Region of Central Macedonia and the Directorate of Construction and Natural Disaster Response. The military's DEYKALION team was also activated. One aircraft dropped water until nightfall; more aerial assets are expected at first light. Four firefighters sustained light injuries, and two were taken to the 424 Military Hospital with respiratory problems from smoke inhalation.
- Fire breaks out in agroforestry area of Oreokastro.
- 112 alert: Anthoupoli residents ordered to evacuate towards Titan.
- Agios Panteleimonas foundation evacuated; 157 residents relocated.
- 112 alert: Anthoupoli residents redirected to Lití stadium.
- 112 alert: Filothei residents ordered to evacuate to Eukarpia gym.
- Firefighting aircraft expected to join the operation.
Investigation and recent tragedy
The Arson Crime Investigation Unit of Thessaloniki has arrived on site to determine the cause of the fire. The Unified Operations and Crisis Management Coordination Center (ESKEDIK) is monitoring the front in real time via a drone with optical and thermal cameras. The blaze comes just days after another fire in a very nearby area claimed the lives of a father and his son; the mother remains hospitalized with burns.
