A fast-moving wildfire has prompted evacuations near Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, after igniting on Saturday evening. The fire, which started in a ravine in a mountainous area around 8:30pm local time, spread rapidly towards the plains, burning mostly through brush. While no residential properties have been damaged, several businesses were reportedly set alight, according to the country’s Fire Service.
Residents of three small suburbs north of the city, Anthoupoli, Filothei, and Galini, were ordered to leave their homes as the blaze spread. Text alerts were sent to residents, urging them to evacuate. Further evacuations included a facility housing 157 people with special needs, who were relocated to a gym and a psychiatric hospital.
Around midnight, the Fire Service announced that a 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of starting the fire. He appeared not to be sober. The fire has been difficult to contain due to strong winds blowing locally.
About 115 firefighters and 38 fire engines battled the fire, plus an unknown number of volunteers. Firefighting planes briefly engaged, but they do not operate in the dark. There is no indication that the fire is directed at the city itself, but firefighters remain on alert, and more are expected to join.
Residents of Thessaloniki itself could see the flames and even heard explosions as flammable materials inside the businesses were set on fire. A heavy cloud of smoke blanketed several suburbs and western areas of the city itself. Greece is no stranger to wildfires, particularly during its long, hot, dry, and often windy summers.
However, the country managed to get through June without serious damage. The first major wildfire hit on Wednesday in central Greece, killing a father and his 12-year-old son and prompting evacuations. Additional blazes were burning around Thessaloniki on Saturday, including in the Halkidiki Peninsula, a favored vacation spot, and the city of Kilkis to the north.
