Wildfire forces sea evacuations in Chalkidiki as flames reach homes near Siviri

Outbreak and spread

A large wildfire broke out around midday on Thursday, 13 August 2026, in low vegetation near Siviri on the Kassandra peninsula of Chalkidiki. Driven by gale-force winds, the flames quickly spread into dense forest with pines and shrubs and advanced toward inhabited areas. By early afternoon the fire front extended approximately 3 kilometres. Traffic between Siviri and Fourka was cut off, and smoke was visible from multiple points across Chalkidiki. The area had been classified at fire risk category 4, "very high," for the day. According to information reported by ERT, the fire is believed to have started when a power pole of the Public Power Corporation fell due to strong wind and produced sparks. The Arson Investigation Team of Chalkidiki was mobilized to investigate the cause.

Evacuations by land and sea

Emergency 112 messages instructed Siviri residents to evacuate toward Kassandra and Fourka residents toward Skioni. As flames closed in on homes, with ERTnews reporting the fire was very close to houses, a sea evacuation operation was launched from the Fourka harbor and the Siviri beach. A speedboat and a Fire Service vessel, three Coast Guard (LS-ELAKT) vessels, and at least 15 private boats were used to remove vacationers and residents, including elderly people and children, from the Siviri beach. The vessel SPEED RUNNER JET also approached Siviri bay to assist with transfers. Coast Guard speedboats were positioned at the Fourka beach, ready to assist if needed. By mid-afternoon, video footage showed people being taken away by sea from the area.

Firefighting response

Firefighting forces were reinforced steadily through the afternoon. An initial deployment of 125 firefighters with 42 vehicles, 9 aircraft, and 3 helicopters reported at approximately 13:56 was later expanded to 142 firefighters with 51 vehicles, 9 aircraft, and 7 helicopters, one of which served for coordination. The reinforcement included 12 firefighters with 3 vehicles from Moldova, part of an EU pre-positioning program for European firefighters. Four foot-patrol teams from the 2nd EMODE were deployed. Water tankers and machinery from the Municipality of Kassandra and 2 machines from the Construction and Natural Disaster Management Command (DIKAFKA) assisted on the ground. The Deputy Chief of the Fire Service was en route to the area to manage operations. Police forces from ELAS were mobilized for traffic management.

Casualties and medical response

One firefighter was injured and transported to Polygyros General Hospital with a lower-limb injury. EKAB, the national ambulance service, placed its forces on heightened operational readiness from the outset. Four ambulances, one Mobile Medical Unit, two small vehicles, and two Immediate Intervention motorcycles with rescuers and medical staff were deployed to the area. EKAB remained ready to further reinforce its forces if required.

Assessment from the ground

Stratos Gitsoudis, president of the Panhellenic Association of Forest Operations Firefighters, described the situation on ERT, characterizing the fire front as quite serious.

Unfortunately the fire has opened up quite a bit. It is burning in dense vegetation with pines and shrubs. The wind is very strong. There is rapid spread of the wildfire, which is in inhabited areas.

He warned residents to remain on alert and follow official instructions.

Conditions are extreme and reaction time is very short.