Firefighters continue to battle the flames in the major fire in Western Attica.
Yesterday, Sunday, August 2, 2026, a tragic accident occurred when two chartered Bell helicopters collided while conducting a wildfire suppression operation in the Psatha area of Attica. The two crew members of one helicopter—a Dane and a Greek—lost their lives in the collision, while the two crew members of the other helicopter, a British national and a Greek national, were rescued and sustained minor injuries.
Ground forces were on high alert all night, creating firebreaks with earth-moving equipment and fighting a titanic battle, in order to halt the fire’s advance and limit its spread. According to the Fire Department, the firefighting efforts are focused on two areas, specifically Agios Nektarios and Kandili in Megara. Additionally, a message was issued today at 3:24 a.m. via the 112 emergency line, urging those in the areas of Skepi, Kandili, and Botsika to evacuate toward Nea Peramos.
Very strong ground forces—specifically, 450 firefighters with 126 vehicles and 22 teams of foot patrols—continue to operate alongside volunteers with numerous water tankers. At first light, aerial resources also joined the firefighting effort, carrying out aerial water drops.
Specifically, five aircraft and five helicopters have been deployed for aerial firefighting so far, and, as the Fire Department subsequently announced, additional resources are scheduled to be deployed.
The «DEYKALION» team is also assisting with firefighting efforts. Water tankers and construction equipment have been provided by the Regions of Attica and Central Greece. In addition, construction equipment provided by the Directorate of Construction and Natural Disaster Response are continuing efforts to clear firebreaks in cooperation with the forestry service. At the same time, forces from the Hellenic Police (ELAS) and the National Ambulance Service (EKAV) remain deployed throughout the wider area affected by the fire.
In addition, buses from the Fire Department and the Armed Forces are on site to assist with the transportation of civilians, if necessary.
All forces are managed by the OLYMPOS Mobile Operations Center.
The fire that broke out on Friday, July 31, 2026, in Boeotia and spread to Western Attica grew to a massive scale, burning forest areas and causingdamage to homes and property. As of yesterday at 12:05 p.m., according to an analysis of satellite data from the European Copernicus EMS mechanism by METEO/ National Observatory of Athens, the areas affected by the forest fires in Attica and Boeotia exceeded 111,000 stremmata (30,900 stremmata in the Boeotia fire and approximately 80,800 stremmata in the fire in Porto Germeno, Attica).
Very high fire risk in Attica, Boeotia, and Euboea
A very high risk of fire (risk category 4) is forecast today in Attica, Boeotia, and Euboea, according to the Fire Risk Forecast Map issued by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection. At the same time, personnel from the National Fire Service remain on general alert,in order to meet the increased operational demands resulting from multiple incidents across the country and the prevailing weather conditions.
In parallel a series of meetings and coordination efforts Kostas Katsafados, Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, responsible for State Aid, begins a visit today to the areas affected by the recent wildfires, with the aim of coordinating all relevant agencies, immediately assessing the damage, and swiftly implementing State Aid measures to support affected citizens and businesses. At the same time, teams from the General Directorate for Civil Protection and Disaster Management will be deployed to the affected areas to conduct on-site assessments.
Specifically, today at 11:00 a.m., the Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Kostas Katsafados, will hold a meeting at the town hall of Eupalio, Phocis—the seat of the Eupalio Municipal Unit of the Municipality of Dorida— with the participation of the Deputy Regional Governor, the State Aid Coordinator, representatives of local government, and all relevant agencies and organizations.
