A wildfire raging through central Greece has forced the evacuation of several villages, with British fire crews deploying to assist local authorities. The blaze, which began on Tuesday near the town of Lamia, has been exacerbated by high winds and temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Greek emergency services have reported at least two injuries among civilians, though no fatalities have been confirmed.
The deployment of British fire crews follows a formal request for assistance under a European Union civil protection mechanism. A team of 21 firefighters from the UK’s National Fire Chiefs Council, along with four specialist vehicles, arrived in Athens on Wednesday morning. They have been stationed in the region of Phthiotis, where the fire is most active. This marks the second such deployment this summer, after a similar operation in July.
Greek authorities have described the fire’s progress as “erratic”, warning that shifting winds could threaten inhabited areas further south. Satellite imagery shows a smoke plume stretching dozens of kilometres across the Aegean Sea. Local residents have been advised to stay indoors and close windows, with air quality alerts issued for surrounding districts.
The UK’s Foreign Office has updated its travel advice, urging British nationals in affected areas to follow instructions from local authorities. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has also issued guidance on the potential health impacts of smoke inhalation for returning tourists.
Greece is no stranger to summer wildfires, but the frequency and intensity of such events have increased in recent years. Climate scientists attribute this to a combination of drought, heatwaves, and land management practices. The current fire season has already seen double the average number of blazes, straining the country’s firefighting resources.
International cooperation remains a cornerstone of crisis response in the Mediterranean region. The UK’s involvement, while modest in scale, reflects a broader trend of mutual assistance among European nations facing climate-related emergencies. As the fire continues to burn, attention will focus on containment efforts and the resilience of local communities.
