A powerful forest fire erupted on July 22, 2025, in the mountainous pine areas near Corinth, Greece, pushing authorities to evacuate several villages, including Kastania, Lafka, Karteri, Drossopigi, Stymfalia, Kionia, and Matsiza.
More than 180 firefighters, supported by 15 firefighting planes and 12 helicopters, are engaged in controlling the blaze . No casualties have been reported so far.
The operation is made more difficult by intense heat, with daytime temperatures soaring to around 40 °C (104 °F), while strong winds further feed the flames .
This fire comes amid Greece’s third heatwave this summer, preventing outdoor labor and closing tourist landmarks during peak hours .
Earlier the same day, a firefighting helicopter responding to a separate wildfire near Athens was forced to make an emergency landing into the sea while collecting water.
The three crew members were rescued and taken to hospital. The helicopter sank after the incident occurred off the coast of Elefsina .
Such wildfires are typical in Greece’s hot, parched summers, with dozens already recorded nationwide this season.
In mid-June alone, fires on the island of Chios led to the evacuation of 17 communities, and a blaze on Crete earlier this month displaced about 1,500 people .
This latest fire follows one of the nation’s most tragic recent events: the 2018 blaze in Mati, east of Athens, which claimed over 100 lives, including those of individuals who drowned while fleeing by sea .
Greek authorities have ramped up preparedness this year, deploying record numbers of firefighters and expanding the use of drones to monitor fire risks .
However, with soaring temperatures, persistent drought, and gusty winds, the wildfire threat remains elevated across the region.