Fast-moving wildfire near Greece’s Thessaloniki triggers evacuations, shrouds suburbs in smoke

A fast-moving wildfire broke out on Saturday evening near the outskirts of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, forcing authorities to evacuate three nearby settlements as firefighters raced to contain the blaze.

The fire ignited around 8:30 p.m. in a ravine in a mountainous area before rapidly spreading across nearby plains, burning mainly through dry brush, according to the Hellenic Fire Service. While homes were spared, several businesses sustained damage.

Residents of the suburbs of Anthoupoli, Filothei and Galini received emergency text alerts instructing them to evacuate. Authorities also evacuated a facility housing 157 people with special needs. Around 120 residents who were able to walk were moved to a gymnasium, while the remaining occupants were transferred to a psychiatric hospital.

Overnight, officials announced the arrest of a 76-year-old man on suspicion of starting the fire. The Hellenic Fire Service said the man “appeared not to be sober” at the time of the incident.

The blaze was visible across Thessaloniki, with residents reporting flames and explosions as flammable materials inside commercial buildings caught fire. Thick smoke blanketed several western districts and suburbs of the city.

More than 115 firefighters, supported by 38 fire engines and volunteers, were deployed to battle the flames. Firefighting aircraft briefly joined the operation before being grounded after nightfall.

Authorities said there was no immediate indication that the fire was advancing toward Thessaloniki itself, but crews remained on high alert as strong winds continued to hamper containment efforts. Additional firefighting resources were expected to arrive overnight.

Greece frequently faces wildfires during its long, hot and dry summers, although the country had largely escaped major incidents through June. Earlier this week, however, a wildfire in central Greece claimed the lives of a man and his 12-year-old son and triggered evacuations.

Several other wildfires were also burning on Saturday, including blazes on the popular tourist destination of the Halkidiki Peninsula and near the northern city of Kilkis.

Unlike much of Europe, which has been gripped by an intense heatwave in recent weeks, Greece has so far avoided the worst of the extreme temperatures.