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3h ago

Wildfire Near Thessaloniki Forces Evacuations and Leads to Arrest

Nightfall grounding of firefighting aircraft has left crews battling an active blaze from the ground under strong winds.

Firefighters try to extinguish a fire at a warehouse during a wildfire on the outskirts of the northern city of Thessaloniki, Greece, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)
Thick smoke rises above Filothei settlement during a wildfire on the outskirts of the northern city of Thessaloniki, Greece, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)
A helicopter drops water over a wildfire on the outskirts of the northern city of Thessaloniki, Greece, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)
Blazes rise from a burning building during a wildfire on the outskirts of the northern city of Thessaloniki, Greece, early Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)

Overview

  • A fast-moving fire began in a ravine north of Thessaloniki on Saturday evening and quickly spread to nearby plains and suburbs, prompting texted evacuation alerts to residents.
  • Authorities evacuated the settlements of Anthoupoli, Filothei and Galini and moved 157 residents of a special-needs facility into a gym and a psychiatric hospital for shelter.
  • About 115 firefighters, roughly 38 fire engines and volunteers have been fighting the blaze on the ground while water-dropping aircraft were used briefly and then grounded after dark.
  • Police arrested a 76-year-old on suspicion of starting the fire and the fire service said he appeared not to be sober; formal charges and a motive have not yet been announced.
  • Several businesses burned and residents reported explosions and heavy smoke that forced public health warnings, and the blaze is one of several fires burning in the region after an earlier deadly wildfire in central Greece.