A Fast-Moving Wildfire Near Greece’s Thessaloniki Sparks Evacuations as Smoke Blankets Suburbs

THESSALONIKI: A fast-moving forest fire broke out near the suburbs of Greece’s second-largest city Thessaloniki on Saturday evening, and residents of three small suburbs in the north of the city were told to evacuate, the country’s fire service said.

The Greek Fire Brigade said that the fire, which broke out in a valley in a mountainous region around 20.30, quickly spread to the plains and burned mostly through the bushes. The service said residences were spared but many businesses were damaged.

Residents of small settlements of AnthoupoliFilothei and Galini were notified by text to evacuate.

A facility housing 157 people with special needs was also evacuated. About 120 of those who could walk were housed in a gym, while the rest were housed in a psychiatric hospital, local officials said.

Authorities announced overnight that a 76-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of starting the fire. He “did not appear sober,” the Greek Fire Brigade said.

Residents of Thessaloniki could see the flames and even hear the explosions caused by the burning of flammable materials in workplaces. A dense cloud of smoke covered many suburbs and western areas of the city.

The fire department said approximately 115 firefighters, 38 fire trucks and an unknown number of volunteers responded to the blaze. Firefighting planes were activated for a short time but could not operate after dark.

There was no indication the fire was heading towards the city, but firefighters remain alert and more are expected to join the blaze. High winds made it difficult to control the fire.

With long, hot, dry and often windy summers, Greece is no stranger to wildfires. However, it managed to survive June without any serious damage. The first major forest fire broke out in central Greece on Wednesday, killing a man and his 12-year-old son and prompting evacuations.

Additional fires were burning around Thessaloniki on Saturday, including on the Halkidiki Peninsula, a favored holiday destination, and the northern city of Kilkis.

Greece has so far escaped the extreme heat that has gripped the rest of Europe.