Wildfire breaks out in Elassona as Greek fire service mobilises 56 personnel and four aircraft

Outbreak in agricultural terrain

A wildfire broke out in a rural tract near Giannota within the municipality of Elassona on the afternoon of Sunday, 23 August 2026. The Operations Center of the Hellenic Fire Service received the first emergency notification regarding the incident at approximately 15:15 local time. Responders encountered flames spreading across agroforestry vegetation and open agricultural plots in the northern sector of the Larissa regional unit. Emergency services organized containment sectors along local access tracks to observe the direction of the smoke plume and restrict the flame front. Fire service assessments confirmed that the blaze remained at a safe distance from residential homes, farm buildings, and regional infrastructure throughout the afternoon.

Ground mobilization and resource expansion

Initial operational dispatches sent 28 firefighters to the Giannota area, accompanied by five fire engines and volunteer firefighters. The initial response integrated two specialist ground crews from the 10th Special Forestry Operations Unit (10th EMODE), who operated on foot across uneven rural terrain. As operational demands grew during the afternoon, commanders reinforced the ground force to 56 firefighters and 13 fire engines. Ground forces expanded to include three specialized foot teams from the 10th EMODE collaborating directly with municipal volunteers. To secure continuous water supplies for the fire engines in the agricultural zone, the Municipality of Elassona and local government authorities dispatched municipal water tankers to support the firefighting effort.

Aerial deployment and regional hazard rating

Aviation units scrambled shortly after the 15:15 emergency call to deliver targeted water drops over the burning vegetation. The aerial package consisted of four aircraft, specifically three water-dropping airplanes and one firefighting helicopter. The aircraft conducted repeated aerial drops over the agroforestry landscape to suppress active burning zones and reduce heat before ground crews moved in along the fire lines. The incident coincided with an elevated danger rating across the Larissa regional unit, which Greek authorities had placed under Category 3 fire risk on Sunday. Category 3 represents a high risk for wildfire inception and propagation under prevailing late August conditions, requiring enhanced readiness from regional fire stations.

Arson investigation team deployed

With containment operations in progress, regional authorities initiated a formal inquiry to establish the precise circumstances behind the ignition. The Arson Crimes Investigation Department of Larissa dispatched a specialized investigative unit directly to the Giannota area on Sunday. Investigators examined the agricultural parcel where the fire started, collecting physical evidence to determine whether the blaze resulted from agricultural work, equipment malfunction, or deliberate arson. Official fire service procedure mandates arson squad mobilization for rural fires occurring during Category 3 high-risk classifications. Firefighters, volunteer crews, and municipal water tankers remained stationed on site into Sunday evening to dampen smoldering patches and guard the perimeter against rekindling.