August Forest Fires in Greece Exceed 20-Year Average
During the first half of August, forest fires in Greece have already caused damage exceeding the 20-year average for this month, with recent blazes devastating entire regions, including Achaia, Chios, Preveza, and Zakynthos, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) reported.
Extent of forest fire damage
Drawing on initial estimates from the European Copernicus system, WWF revealed that the extent of burned land this summer is once again alarming. In only two weeks, more than 130,000 acres have been consumed by flames, including:
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Chios: 42,490 acres
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Filippiada: 26,368 acres
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Zakynthos: 22,950 acres
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Achaia: 16,830 acres
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Keratea-Palaia Fokaia: 15,808 acres
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Chelidoni, Ilia: 6,227 acres
“These figures confirm that, for the first half of August, burned areas are already significantly above the 20-year average,” WWF said. “This is particularly concerning as we are still in the middle of the fire season, with the historically most intense period—typically the second half of August—yet to come.”
#EMSR834 – Wildfire in Chios
Our latest satellite-based assessment shows the burnt area near Volissos increased 50% over two days, to 6,909 ha.
Potential impacts include:
9.1 ha of built-up area
170 km of roads
~250 people
More:https://t.co/r6BnqHSRuP pic.twitter.com/psSQ9dzaDI
— Copernicus EMS (@CopernicusEMS) August 18, 2025
Impact of forest fires in Greece on people, property, and wildlife
The WWF emphasized that forest fires in Greece this year have not only destroyed hundreds of thousands of acres of valuable forests and agricultural land but have also damaged human property, threatened thousands of animals, and resulted in human casualties, including injuries to firefighters and civilians.
WWF noted that the repeated occurrence of such devastating wildfires highlights the urgent need for enhanced fire prevention and management measures. The early August spike also underscores the increasing risks posed by climate change, with rising temperatures and prolonged drought conditions fueling the intensity and frequency of fires across the country.
Authorities’ response
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with firefighting teams deployed in multiple regions to contain active blazes. Emergency response units are coordinating evacuations where necessary, while environmental groups have called for increased public awareness and proactive measures to mitigate further losses.
“The scale and impact of this year’s fires serve as a stark reminder of the growing vulnerability of Greece’s natural and human landscapes,” WWF said, urging immediate action to protect both lives and ecosystems.
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