Critical situation in Greece: Mass evacuations and bans due to wildfires

31.07.2026 | International news

Greek authorities have imposed movement restrictions in Halkidiki due to the extreme risk of wildfires. Residents are being evacuated in the Peloponnese and Boeotia, while the fight against the blazes continues on Crete and Paros.

Снимка от (Photograph used by permission of the USDA Forest Service.), Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)

Emergency measures in Halkidiki

Regional authorities on the Halkidiki peninsula in Northern Greece have imposed a movement ban from 08:00 to 20:00 today in the forested areas of the peninsula. The measure covers the highlands of Kassandra, Sithonia, and the western part of Athos due to the very high risk of wildfires.

The situation in the country remains extremely dire, complicated by strong winds that are fanning new outbreaks.

Growing fires and evacuations

At the moment, the situation on the islands of Andros and Kalymnos is improving, but authorities remain on full alert.