Wildfire breaks out in olive groves near Elateia as Greek emergency crews deploy 6 aircraft and 11 vehicles

Outbreak and 112 emergency alert in Phthiotis

A wildfire broke out in an agroforestry expanse in the Elateia area of Phthiotis during the early afternoon of Sunday, 23 August 2026. The Operations Center of the Hellenic Fire Service received the initial notification regarding the fire at approximately 12:30, after flames took hold in a rural section containing olive groves. As the fire developed across the agricultural terrain, civil protection officials determined that local populations needed formal notification. At 13:45, authorities triggered the national 112 emergency communications system, transmitting an advisory bulletin to mobile devices across the regional unit. The broadcast warned all individuals located in the wider perimeter of Elateia to remain in a state of readiness and to follow instructions issued by public authorities.

Wildfire in the area of Elateia in the Regional Unit of Phthiotis. Remain on standby and follow the instructions of the Authorities.

Mobilization of ground crews and aerial units

The Fire Service assembled a response force to halt the advance of the flames across the rural vegetation. A total of 35 firefighters deployed to the scene, operating 11 specialized fire service vehicles along local access paths and field boundaries. Ground operations were reinforced by two specialized pedestrian crews drawn from the 4th Special Forestry Operations Unit (EMODE), alongside volunteer personnel who joined the containment efforts. Aviation units quickly integrated into the response, with authorities assigning six aerial assets to the operational sector. The aerial fleet consisted of four fixed-wing firefighting airplanes and two helicopters carrying out targeted water drops over the burning olive trees.

Municipal support and real-time drone monitoring

Local municipal authorities collaborated directly with emergency services to support the firefighting mission on the ground. The Municipality of Amfikleia-Elateia mobilized its water tankers to deliver continuous water replenishment to the 11 fire vehicles operating around the firefront. Simultaneously, technological systems were integrated to maintain oversight of the entire perimeter. Throughout the duration of the incident, the National Coordination Center for Operations and Crisis Management (ESKEDIK) monitored the scene using surveillance drones. The drone systems transmitted continuous visual streams using optical and thermal cameras, allowing commanders to track temperature signatures and fire movement in real time.

Fire danger classification and arson inquiry

The outbreak in Elateia coincided with elevated environmental hazards across central Greece, with the Phthiotis region designated under high fire risk (Category 3) on Sunday. In response to the ignition in the agroforestry area, authorities enacted official investigative procedures. The Arson Crimes Investigation Unit of Phthiotis was mobilized to investigate the circumstances surrounding the start of the fire. Specialists from the unit were tasked with examining the site of origin among the olive groves, collecting physical evidence, and determining whether the blaze resulted from accidental ignition, agricultural activity, or deliberate arson.