Two wildfires break out near scattered homes in Thessaloniki area; 112 alert issued for residents to standby
Authorities battled two separate wildfires on Tuesday afternoon in the Thessaloniki region, near scattered houses in Vasilika and Peraia. Emergency alert 112 was sent to residents to remain on standby and follow official instructions.
Overview
Two wildfires erupted on 14 July 2026 in the Thessaloniki regional unit, both near residential areas but so far limited to agricultural and forest land. High fire risk (category 3) was forecast for the day, and emergency services responded quickly with ground crews, helicopters, and water tankers. No injuries or house damage have been reported from either blaze. The Hellenic Fire Service dispatched investigation teams to both sites to determine if arson was involved.
Vasilika fire
A fire broke out around 12:00 in an agricultural-forest area near Vasilika, Thermi municipality. The initial response included 18 firefighters with eight vehicles and two helicopters, according to one report, while later updates put the deployment at 30 firefighters with ten vehicles and still two helicopters. Water tankers from Thermi municipality supported the effort. The fire burned close to scattered homes, and a 112 alert was sent to residents shortly after, instructing them to be on standby and follow authority guidance.
Be on standby and follow the instructions of the authorities.
The Unified Coordination Centre for Operations and Crisis Management (ESKEDIK) monitored the scene via drone with both visual and thermal cameras throughout the incident.
Peraia fire
Around 18:00, a second fire was reported in an agricultural plot in the Osia Xeni area of Peraia. The operations centre was notified at that time and ground forces were mobilized immediately. A total of 32 firefighters, one pedestrian team from the 2nd EMODE, nine fire engines, and volunteers were deployed. One firefighting helicopter also performed continuous water drops, according to one source, while others mentioned only ground units. Municipal water tankers again assisted the Fire Service.
- Fire breaks out in Vasilika, Thermi municipality
- 112 alert sent for residents near Vasilika fire
- Fire breaks out in Peraia, Osia Xeni area
- 112 alert sent for residents in Osia Xeni
At 18:22, the 112 emergency alert system sent a readiness message to residents of Osia Xeni, Thessaloniki. By early evening, the fire was still burning only agricultural land, and no homes were reported at immediate risk.
Response and risk level
Both fires occurred on a day when the General Secretariat for Civil Protection had placed the region on high fire risk (category 3). The rapid deployment of air and ground assets helped contain the blazes before they reached structures. Drone surveillance provided real-time situational awareness to the command centre. Despite the proximity of scattered houses, no evacuations were ordered and no damage to property was recorded.
Investigation
An investigative team from the Thessaloniki Arson Crime Unit was dispatched to each fire site to examine the causes. Investigators routinely probe wildfires on high-risk days, especially when multiple ignitions occur in the same afternoon. At the time of reporting, no findings had been released.
