Fire crews deploy ground teams and helicopter after lightning sparks forest blaze in Drama
Greek fire services deployed ground crews, specialized forest units, and aerial support on Saturday afternoon to tackle a forest blaze in Lefkogeia, in the municipality of Kato Nevrokopi.
Outbreak in Kato Nevrokopi
A forest fire broke out in a wooded area near the community of Lefkogeia, located in the municipality of Kato Nevrokopi within the regional unit of Drama. The Operations Centre of the Fire Service received the initial alert regarding the blaze on Saturday, 22 August 2026, at approximately 16:30 local time. The incident developed inside a forest tract, prompting immediate coordination between local municipal authorities and regional firefighting commands. The fire was classified as an active incident requiring immediate suppression across the wooded terrain. Ground crews mobilized rapidly from nearby stations to establish early containment lines around the affected forest perimeter.
Initial response and specialized units
The initial emergency deployment dispatched to the Lefkogeia area comprised 17 firefighters tasked with ground containment operations. This response included one specialized pedestrian unit from the 21st Special Forestry Operations Unit, designated as the 21st EMODE. Four firefighting vehicles accompanied the ground crew to provide water support and establish a command perimeter along forest tracks. These first responders concentrated on assessing the fire front, cutting containment lines, and preventing flames from extending into adjacent forest sectors. Operational commanders monitored conditions closely to determine whether more specialized personnel were required on the ground.
- Rainfall and lightning activity occur across the Kato Nevrokopi area
- Fire Service Operations Centre receives the initial alert for the Lefkogeia blaze
- 17 firefighters, 1 unit of 21st EMODE, and 4 vehicles respond to the scene
- Force increases to 28 firefighters, 2 EMODE teams, 7 vehicles, and 1 helicopter
Operational escalation and aerial assets
The Fire Service subsequently increased the operational footprint to reinforce containment efforts across the Kato Nevrokopi woodland. The number of firefighters deployed at the scene rose from 17 to 28 personnel as additional units arrived. Ground operations expanded to include two pedestrian teams, bringing together specialized personnel from both the 2nd EMODE and the 21st EMODE. The vehicle contingent increased from four to seven fire engines to supply water and support ground crews in the forest. To complement the expanded ground force, the Fire Service deployed one firefighting helicopter to carry out targeted water drops from the air.
- Initial firefighters
- 17
- Reinforced firefighters
- 28
- Initial vehicles
- 4
- Reinforced vehicles
- 7
- Helicopters deployed
- 1
Weather conditions and ignition source
The outbreak in Drama followed specific meteorological activity recorded across the district earlier on Saturday afternoon. A period of rainfall occurred over the Kato Nevrokopi area directly prior to the detection of the fire. During this storm activity, meteorological tracking registered localized lightning strikes across the surrounding forest. Fire Service evaluations indicated that a lightning strike during the weather event was the probable cause of the ignition in Lefkogeia. Response teams directed their suppression efforts at containing the resulting woodland fire under the post-storm conditions.
