Wildfire risk and local disruptions in Western Attica, Greece

Timeline

1. August 29, 2026

   Greece's Civil Protection rated Attica at Category 4 ('very high risk') for Saturday 29 August, one step below the extreme Category 5 red alert issued the same day for Crete, Rhodes and Karpathos. No new fire has been reported in Attica since the 25 August Salamina and Boiotia-border incidents, both of which were described as under control with no active front as of 26 August. The Western Attica coastal zone (Psatha, Porto Germeno, Megara) remains unaffected, with no fire activity there since 10 August. Travelers should continue to check the daily risk category and follow 112 guidance.

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2. August 28, 2026

   The multi-day heatwave that drove Attica's Red Code alerts eased starting 28 August, with forecast fire risk for the region dropping back to Category 3 ('high') after touching Category 4 earlier in the week. Cooling centers and the heatwave medical hotline established during the Red Code period were expected to stand down as temperatures moderated. Travelers should still confirm the status of the 25 August Salamina and Boiotia-border fires before assuming normal conditions, as full extinguishment had not been separately confirmed as of this report.

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3. August 26, 2026

   By 26 August, the Boiotia fire near Tsoukalades and Agios Vlasios had no active front, though scattered smouldering persisted and 92 firefighters with ground and air support remained deployed as a precaution. The Salamina fire was reported 'improving' but not fully extinguished, with crews still on-site preventing reignition. Evacuation orders issued 25 August remained in effect pending an all-clear. This does not affect the Western Attica coastal resort area (Psatha, Porto Germeno, Megara), which has had no new fire activity since 10 August.

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4. August 25, 2026

   Two new wildfires broke out in the greater Attica region on the afternoon of 25 August. On Salamina island, a fire near the naval base in the Elliniko area prompted a 112 evacuation order for Ano Vasilika and Nea Salamina residents, with 80 firefighters, three helicopters and three aircraft responding; explosions heard nearby were confirmed unrelated to military materiel. Separately, a fire on the Attica-Boiotia border near Agios Vlasios and Tsoukalades triggered evacuation alerts toward Livadeia and drew 92 firefighters, 14 aircraft and four helicopters. Both fires were under active suppression as of evening; travelers near Salamina and the Boiotia border should expect road closures and monitor 112 alerts.

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5. August 24, 2026

   Greece's Civil Protection agency downgraded Attica's wildfire danger forecast from Category 4 (Red Code, in effect 24 August) to Category 3 (High) for Tuesday 25 August. No Greek region is rated Category 4 for the 25th; Attica, Kythera, Boeotia, Evia and Skyros remain at Category 3, meaning elevated but not extreme risk. Authorities still urge caution with open flames and outdoor burning as the heatwave continues.

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6. August 24, 2026

   A new extended heatwave beginning 23 August has pushed temperatures to 38-42C across Greece, prompting civil protection authorities to place Attica (which includes Western Attica) and 11 other regional units under 'Red Code' very-high fire-danger mobilization (Category 4) for 24 August. No new fire has broken out in Western Attica or the Psatha/Porto Germeno/Megara area as of this update; it reflects forecast risk, not an active incident. Seven air-conditioned public cooling centers are open in Athens (9am-9pm) and a heatwave medical hotline (210 3638049) is active. Travelers should avoid open flames or activities that could spark fires and monitor local advisories.

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7. August 19, 2026

   Greece's 2026 wildfire season overall remains below the 20-year average (roughly 30,800 hectares burned nationwide, about 39% below average), with only one named wildfire currently listed as active countrywide. No new incident has been confirmed in the Western Attica zone itself since the Kouvaras fire was contained on 10 August; the region's most significant recent incident was the fatal Salamis Island fire on 16 August, covered in a separate alert.

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8. August 15, 2026

   Attica remained rated Category 4 (Very High) wildfire risk for 15 August, alongside Halkidiki/Mount Athos, Crete and extensive areas of the Peloponnese, Central Greece and the Aegean islands, as strong to gale-force winds continued. No new incident was confirmed in the Western Attica zone specifically.

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9. August 14, 2026

   Attica remains at Category 5 (Extreme Fire Risk / State of Alert) for 14 August, as gale-force north-easterly winds gusting up to 100km/h (force 9-10) combine with hot, dry conditions in a 'Hot-Dry-Windy' pattern. Authorities have flagged pyroconvection risk - fire-generated thunderstorms that can drive erratic, fast-moving fire behaviour - specifically for western Greece on 14 August. Maximum vigilance is urged; avoid fire-affected communities around Psatha, Porto Germeno, Megara and Kithairon and follow all 112 evacuation or access instructions.

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10. August 13, 2026

    Greece's Civil Protection escalated Attica to Category 5 (Extreme Fire Risk, State of Alert) for 13 August, alongside four other regions, with a further eleven regions at Category 4 (Very High). The extreme rating was driven by gale-force north-easterly winds gusting up to 100km/h combined with hot, dry weather - the most severe fire-risk rating Greece issues. The same wind event drove a major wildfire on the Halkidiki peninsula further north that forced a mass boat evacuation of tourists (see separate alert).

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11. August 12, 2026

    Attica remains under Red Code (Category 4) wildfire risk on 12 August. Separately, a new wildfire broke out on 10 August near Kouvaras in eastern Attica (about 60km southeast of Athens, distinct from the ongoing Western Attica fire zone around Psatha/Porto Germeno), triggered by sparks from electricity cables; a 112 alert ordered evacuation of Agios Stylianos, but roughly 200 firefighters, 40 vehicles, two water-bombing planes and four helicopters contained the blaze within hours. This underscores continued elevated fire activity across the wider Attica region, not only the original Western Attica zone.

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12. August 11, 2026

    Attica remains under Category 4 (Very High) wildfire risk on 11 August alongside several other regions, following roughly 400 wildfires recorded nationwide over the prior ten days. North-northeasterly winds of 5-7 Beaufort are forecast to persist through the week, sustaining elevated fire danger around Western Attica. Follow local 112 evacuation and access instructions.

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13. August 10, 2026

    Western Attica is under Red Code and Category 4 wildfire risk for 10 August. The warning reinforces elevated danger around fire-affected areas including Psatha, Porto Germeno, Megara and Kithairon; it does not mean all of Attica is disrupted. Follow local 112 evacuation and access instructions.

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14. August 7, 2026

    The Western Attica wildfire remains an active local hazard around Psatha, Porto Germeno, Loumba, Kandili and Megara. Avoid fire-affected communities and follow any 112 evacuation or access instructions. Greece's official wildfire forecast for 7 August is Category 3 (high) for Attica, rather than Category 4.

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15. August 6, 2026

    The official Greek forecast places Attica at Category 4, very high fire risk, for 6 August 2026 and calls for heightened civil-protection readiness.

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16. August 4, 2026

    Current travel reporting described an active wildfire zone in Western Attica, with local evacuation orders, while central Athens and Athens International Airport were reported operating normally.

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17. August 4, 2026

    The Regional Unit of Attica remains at Very High fire-risk rating. More than 1,000 people have been evacuated, including over 250 taken off nearby beaches by boat.

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18. August 2, 2026

    Two firefighting helicopters collided while working the blaze; a Danish pilot and a Greek fire service official were killed.

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