Greece battles extreme winds as wildfires spread across Boeotia and Attica
Greece's wildfires spread rapidly in extreme 100+ km/h winds; firefighting helicopter collision adds to emergency response toll.
Event / Disaster
Europe Wildfire Crisis August 2026
Major wildfires spread across southern Europe in August 2026, affecting France and Greece with significant evacuations, structural damage, and casualties including helicopter collision deaths near Athens.
12 reported locations
Daily activity
0 articles0 articles
2026-08-14 to 2026-11-11 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 3 Aug, 00:53 UTC
Follow the documented timeline or explore the related reporting.
What happened
Major wildfires spread across Boeotia and Attica regions in Greece
On its fourth day, a major wildfire continued to advance on two main fronts: in Boeotia where it started, and in Attica, the region of Athens. Several coastal towns in the Gulf of Corinth were reached by flames. Civil protection services issued regular evacuation alerts for localities west of Athens in the Megara zone.
Approximately 100 residents evacuated in Cazilhac during wildfire
About 100 residents in Cazilhac were evacuated as a precautionary measure during the wildfire. They were authorized to return to their homes on Sunday evening. Several homes in Carcassonne and Cazilhac were protected thanks to emergency services intervention.
1,500 firefighters mobilize in Var as wind conditions worsen
On Monday morning, 1,500 firefighters supported by 450 vehicles were mobilized to stabilize a wildfire in Var. Military bulldozers opened new access routes for firefighting equipment. Afternoon conditions were forecast to be unfavorable with strengthening wind, rising temperatures, and decreasing humidity levels.
Greek wildfires hampered by extreme wind conditions exceeding 100 km/h
Firefighting operations in Greece were severely hindered by wind gusts reaching 100 km/h or more for three days. This prevented aerial bombardment operations and complicated ground-based firefighting efforts. Monday was expected to bring improved conditions with wind power decreasing, allowing water-bombing aircraft to resume operations. Ten aircraft and approximately 20 helicopters were mobilized for the firefighting effort.
Wildfire burns approximately 100 hectares near Carcassonne
The fire that started from the car fire on the A61 motorway burned approximately 100 hectares, with 50 hectares completely destroyed. The fire was declared contained on Sunday evening and then fixed. About 280 firefighters and 60 vehicles were mobilized, supported by 11 aerial assets: three Canadair water bombers, two Dash aircraft, four Airtractor planes, and two helicopter water bombers.
Wildfire in Var burns approximately 1,800 hectares
A wildfire in Var that started Friday south of the Gros Bessillon fire burned approximately 1,800 hectares. Several villages were evacuated and residents were able to return to their homes. Forty-one houses were destroyed by the flames, and 70 houses total have been affected since July 21 in the Gros Bessillon sector.
Gironde wildfire burns 42,000 hectares, affecting tourism sector
A major wildfire in Gironde burned 42,000 hectares. The Tourism Alliance secretary general Leslie Rival called for national solidarity and a communication campaign to encourage tourists to visit unaffected areas, warning that the tourism industry in Gironde, Landes, Var, and Aude faces significant challenges due to fire damage.
Car fire ignites vegetation on A61 motorway near Carcassonne
A car caught fire on the A61 motorway near Carcassonne on Sunday, August 2 around 4:10 PM in the direction of Toulouse. The flames spread to vegetation along the motorway edge between exits 24 (Carcassonne-East) and 23 (Carcassonne-West), forcing the motorway to close in both directions.
Two firefighting helicopters collide during water-bombing operations in Greece
Two helicopters conducting water-bombing operations collided above a forest near the Gulf of Corinth on Sunday. One helicopter caught fire and its two occupants died. The other helicopter landed safely with pilots unharmed. Investigators attributed the collision to reduced visibility from smoke and lack of communication between pilots.
A61 motorway reopens after fire near Carcassonne
Traffic resumed on the A61 motorway in the direction of Toulouse at 11 PM and in the direction of Narbonne at 12:15 AM. Diversions put in place during firefighting operations were lifted. About 150 firefighters remained on site through the night for water saturation operations and monitoring for potential hot spots detected by drones.
Le Beausset and Saint-Cyr organize relief collections for wildfire victims
The municipalities of Le Beausset and Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer organized solidarity collection drives to support victims of the Var wildfires. Collections were held at Pôle Saint-Exupéry in Le Beausset and at Espace Provence in Saint-Cyr through Monday, August 3. Prioritized items included hygiene products: soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, sanitary protections, diapers, and wipes.
Wildfires threaten additional Greek islands and regions
Flames threatened homes on Kefalonia, forcing evacuations from inland communities as aircraft made water drops over the Ionian island. Firefighters battled another blaze near Nea Tenedos in Halkidiki.
Nearly 800 deaths linked to wildfires across Europe over past four decades
Over the past four decades, wildfires have been linked to nearly 800 deaths across much of Europe, according to the European Environment Agency.
Historical resonance with 2018 Mati wildfire in Greece
The current wildfire advancing through the Attica region carried grim resonance to the 2018 Mati wildfire, which killed 104 people in Europe's deadliest blaze this century.
Spanish Prime Minister calls for national pact on wildfire response
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for a national pact to confront wildfires, warning that climate change is making them increasingly destructive.
Gironde megafire in southwestern France contained but continues burning
The Gironde megafire remained held within its perimeter but continued to burn after scorching 420 square kilometers of forest in 10 days. The fire forced 224,000 people to evacuate in what may have been France's largest civilian evacuation outside wartime. Nearly 3,000 firefighters were deployed. About 150 homes were destroyed in Le Porge. The region remained under France's highest red forest-fire alert with dry conditions and afternoon winds threatening to rekindle flames.
George Clooney evacuated from Brignoles fire in France
A smaller blaze near Brignoles earlier in the week forced actor George Clooney and his family, along with about 700 other residents, to evacuate before it was brought under control.
Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis expresses condolences for helicopter crash
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed sorrow for the tragic helicopter accident and extended condolences to the families of the firefighters killed. Mitsotakis stated that the loss of the Greek coordinator and Danish pilot filled them with grief.
Over 1,170 square kilometers burned in France this year
More than 1,170 square kilometers have burned across France in 2026 so far.
Two firefighting helicopters collide near Athens during wildfire operations
Two Bell helicopters collided in midair on Sunday while conducting firefighting operations over the Psatha area west of Athens. Each aircraft was crewed by two people. The collision sent one aircraft crashing to the ground.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
Multiple wildfires spread across southern France, evacuations underway
Multiple southern France wildfires force evacuations and deploy 1,500 firefighters across affected regions.
Spain's PM seeks unified wildfire response through national coordination pact
Spain's PM proposes national wildfire coordination pact as crisis demands unified policy response.
Four decades of escalating wildfire deaths reveal Europe's accelerating crisis
Europe's wildfire deaths over 40 years reveal an accelerating crisis now reaching unprecedented scale.
Europe's rapid warming doubles wildfire risk, scientists confirm
Climate change doubled wildfire risk; Europe warms twice the global rate.
Wildfires kill 13 in Spain as displacement crisis engulfs Europe
13 dead in Spain; 330,000 displaced across Europe as wildfire crisis reaches humanitarian scale.
France mobilizes international firefighters as megafires spread across regions
France deploys international firefighters as megafires burn over 1,170 sq km nationwide.
Helicopter collision kills two as Greece battles spreading wildfires
Two firefighting crew members killed in helicopter collision during Greece wildfire response operations.