The British government is monitoring the progress of a large wildfire in Greece, where a contingent of UK firefighters has been deployed as part of a European containment operation. The fire, which broke out in the region of Attica on Wednesday, has spread rapidly due to strong winds and dry conditions, prompting Athens to request assistance through the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism.
A Downing Street spokesman confirmed that the UK’s National Fire Chiefs Council had dispatched a 21-strong team of specialists, including officers trained in wildfire behaviour and incident command. They joined forces from Italy, France, and Spain in coordinating aerial and ground operations near the town of Rafina, where flames have threatened residential areas.
The Foreign Office is in contact with British nationals in affected zones, advising them to follow local evacuation orders. No UK casualties have been reported. The fire has burned an estimated 12,000 hectares and forced the evacuation of several villages.
This deployment underscores Britain’s continued participation in European emergency response mechanisms post-Brexit. The UK remains a member of the EU’s disaster response framework through bilateral agreements. The government has allocated £1.5 million to support the operation, with further resources on standby.
Environmental analysts note that Greece’s fire season has become increasingly severe, linked to climate change. The current blaze is the largest since 2021, when fires on the island of Evia destroyed over 50,000 hectares. International cooperation remains critical as national fire services face stretched resources.
The situation remains fluid, with containment lines established but not fully secure. The UK team is expected to remain for up to 14 days.
