Wildfire near Thessaloniki prompts evacuations and smoke alerts for nearby suburbs

A fast-moving wildfire broke out late Saturday near the northern suburbs of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, prompting evacuation orders for residents of three nearby settlements and the temporary relocation of people housed in a special-needs facility, the Hellenic Fire Service said. Flames and heavy smoke were visible and audible from parts of the city overnight, authorities said, as firefighters worked through the night with ground crews and limited aerial support due to darkness.

The fire began in a ravine in a mountainous area around 8:30 p.m. and then spread quickly toward surrounding plains, burning primarily through brush, the fire service said. Authorities said several businesses were damaged, though residences were spared, and warned that strong winds were making containment difficult. Residents of Anthoupoli, Filothei, and Galini were notified by text message to evacuate, according to local authorities cited in the report.

In addition to neighborhood evacuations, a facility housing 157 people with special needs was also evacuated. The report said about 120 of those able to walk were being sheltered in a gym, while the rest were housed in a psychiatric hospital. Local officials said the arrangements were made as emergency teams focused on preventing the blaze from spreading further toward built-up areas.

Firefighters deployed an operation involving about 115 firefighters and 38 fire engines, with an unknown number of volunteers assisting, the fire service said. Firefighting planes were briefly used but could not operate after dark, leaving ground crews to continue the work overnight. Authorities said they had no indication at the time that the fire was heading directly toward Thessaloniki itself, but crews remained on alert as conditions shifted.

Overnight, Greek authorities announced an arrest on suspicion of starting the fire. A 76-year-old man was taken into custody, with the fire service saying he “appeared not to be sober.” Investigators were still working to determine how the blaze started and to assess whether other factors contributed to the rapid spread in the windy, dry summer conditions that Greece faces each year.

Greek officials said the episode highlighted the ongoing risks during hot, dry, and often windy periods, when wildfires can expand quickly across brush and mixed terrain near major towns. With smoke continuing to blanket parts of the region, firefighters said additional crews were expected to join the response, and containment efforts were expected to continue as daylight allowed for broader support.