📅 July 2, 2025 | 🕒 Updated: July 3, 09:30
📍 Vourvourou, Sithonia, Halkidiki
A large and fast-spreading wildfire broke out early Wednesday afternoon in the forest area of Livari, Vourvourou, in Sithonia, Halkidiki. The fire is currently raging in the Kounia area, within dense pine forestland, and is visible from as far as Neos Marmaras and Nikiti.
According to the Hellenic Fire Service, an immediate, large-scale response was activated:
- 🚒 65 firefighters
- 🥾 2 ground teams from the 2nd EMODE unit
- 🚛 20 fire trucks
- 🧑🚒 Numerous volunteers
- ✈️ 8 firefighting aircraft
- 🚁 1 helicopter
- 🚜 Heavy machinery and water tankers from local municipalities (PEH & Sithonia)
Due to the difficult terrain, aerial firefighting efforts have been prioritized. As of 18:15, Canadair water bombers were also deployed to reinforce the air operation.
🔔 Emergency Alert via 112
At 15:44 local time, the Greek Civil Protection Authority issued an emergency notification via the 112 alert system, warning all residents and tourists in the affected area:
The smoke plume from the wildfire has been seen across much of the region, including Nikiti. As a precaution, all individuals in or near the fire zone are strongly advised to evacuate immediately toward Nikiti, the nearest safe zone.
(Επείγουσα ειδοποίηση / Emergency Notification
Πολιτική Προστασία – Civil Protection
02-07-2025 15:44
Δασική πυρκαγιά στην περιοχή Λιβάρι Βουρβουρούς της Δημοτικής Ενότητας Σιθωνίας. Αν βρίσκεστε στην περιοχή απομακρυνθείτε προς Νικήτη. Ακολουθείτε τις οδηγίες των αρχών.
Wildfire in Livari Vourvourou of the municipal unit of Sithonia. If you are in Livari, move away to Nikiti. Follow the instructions of the Authorities.
Οδηγίες αυτοπροστασίας – Protective action guidelines:
🔗 https://civilprotection.gov.gr/all-guidelines)
🔄 Ongoing Situation
Authorities are continuing their efforts into the evening, with reinforcements arriving throughout the afternoon. Ground forces and volunteers are battling the blaze in challenging conditions, while aerial units conduct water drops over the inaccessible forested terrain.
Officials have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire. However, residents and travelers are reminded that extreme caution is required during this high-risk summer season.
🔥 Update – 17:22: Fire Reaches Courtyards of Rental Lodgings — Volunteers Mobilized
According to new information from XalkidikiPolitiki, the wildfire has reached the courtyards of rental accommodations in the affected area. Flames reportedly crossed the main road and advanced dangerously close to the shoreline, threatening both property and natural landscape.
A large number of volunteers, alongside the fire brigade, have gathered at the scene to assist in the containment and suppression efforts. The situation remains highly dynamic, and emergency crews are working tirelessly to protect homes, forests, and the coastline from further destruction.
🔥 Update – 17:42: Road from Nikiti to Sarti is Closed – Intense Firefighting Continues
The provincial road between Nikiti and Sarti has been closed to traffic from Ormos Panagias to Vourvourou due to the ongoing wildfire. The blaze, which broke out earlier this afternoon in Sithonia, has split the road network in two, severely impacting local mobility and emergency access.
In a statement to Xalkidiki Politiki, Agios Nikolaos president Agapitos Pardalis confirmed that the fire has been partially contained in some areas, particularly near the courtyards where flames had earlier encroached on private lodgings. However, concerns remain, especially in the forest and mountainous regions, where strong winds continue to pose a risk of reignition.
🎥 Watch the video coverage from Xalkidiki Politiki:
🔥 Update – 18:15: Situation Improving in Vourvourou, Say Volunteers
Encouraging reports are emerging from the front line in Vourvourou, where volunteers assisting in the firefighting efforts report a significantly improved situation.
According to sources from Agios Nikolaos, the spread of the wildfire has been largely contained, and fire crews are now working to bring it fully under control. The containment is credited to the coordinated efforts of ground teams, volunteers, and aerial units throughout the afternoon.
🚒 Current forces deployed:
- 65 firefighters
- 20 vehicles
- 2 ground units (EMODE)
- 8 firefighting aircraft
- 1 helicopter
- Heavy machinery and water tankers from the municipality and regional authorities
Though the danger is not yet over, the situation is markedly better than earlier in the day, with containment lines holding and major spread prevented.
🔥 Update – 19:00: Camping Evacuated, Fire Rages in Remote Mountain Area — 140 Firefighters and 19 Aircraft Battle the Blaze
Sithonia continues to face critical conditions as the wildfire that erupted earlier today in the Vourvourou–Livari forest area has forced the evacuation of a local camping site for precautionary reasons. The fire, moving with dangerous speed and intensity, created an atmosphere of instability and fear, prompting emergency authorities to urge calm and strict adherence to evacuation instructions.
As the fire front moved away from residential zones, it spread into steep and inaccessible mountain areas above Vourvourou, making containment even more difficult for ground crews. In response, air operations were significantly reinforced throughout the afternoon, with a fleet of 14 firefighting aircraft and 5 helicopters (including a command helicopter) conducting urgent water drops before sunset, attempting to halt the fire’s advance before nightfall.
On the ground, firefighting efforts have been scaled up dramatically:
- 👨🚒 140 firefighters
- 🥾 7 ground teams from the 2nd EMODE unit
- 🚒 35 fire vehicles
- 🔍 Special arson investigation team (S.Mi.E.A.) dispatched
- 🧑🤝🧑 Dozens of volunteers actively assisting
- 🚜 Heavy equipment and water tankers from municipalities and the regional authority
Despite the scale of the operation, difficult terrain, strong winds, and heavy smoke continue to hamper firefighting efforts. Sparks are being carried long distances by gusts of wind, and thick smoke has enveloped the region, further complicating the work of both aerial and ground units.
Residents and tourists are watching developments with concern, while authorities remain on high alert. The cause of the fire is under investigation, with a specialized arson response team already on-site to examine the possibility of intentional ignition.
This remains an evolving and high-risk situation, and all attention remains focused on Sithonia, as local communities, emergency services, and volunteers work together in hopes of preventing further damage.
🔥 Update – 20:10: Full Official Statement by Mayor Ioannis Mallinis
🔥 Update – 20:25: Firefighting Forces on High Alert Overnight in Sithonia
As night falls over Sithonia, firefighting operations continue with maximum readiness. A total of 160 firefighters, supported by 35 vehicles, 7 ground teams, and dozens of local volunteers, remain stationed at the fire zone. In a strong show of international support, a 50-person forest commando unit from Bulgaria has also joined the effort.
🔧 Heavy machinery and water tankers from the region and nearby municipalities are also engaged in extinguishing operations, especially in hard-to-reach zones.
The wildfire is now burning through dense vegetation and pine clusters deep in a ravine, making access extremely difficult for ground crews.
⚠️ According to the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, wind speeds are expected to intensify to 5 Beaufort (up to 38–49 km/h) after 21:00–22:00 local time, potentially increasing the risk of flare-ups. Firefighting forces took advantage of a brief two-hour calm period between 19:00 and 21:00, focusing their efforts on containment during the lull.
The situation remains critical, and all overnight units are on high alert to respond swiftly to any resurgence.
🕒 Update – July 3, 09:30: Fire in Vourvourou Subdued — Ground Forces on Alert for Flare-Ups
The wildfire in Vourvourou, Sithonia, which broke out midday Wednesday, is now officially in recession, following extensive firefighting efforts. Thanks to the coordinated deployment of 14 aircraft and 5 helicopters, which operated until 21:30 last night, and the tireless work of ground forces, the flames were brought under control before sunset.
The main fire front has been extinguished, with only minor smoldering spots remaining, which are being managed by crews still present in the area. 140 firefighters, 35 vehicles, 7 ground teams, Bulgarian forest commandos, and dozens of volunteers continue to patrol the site to prevent any flare-ups, especially given the forecast of increased winds up to 5 Beaufort.
Overnight, a state of heightened alert was maintained both by professional firefighting units and volunteer teams. Aerial resources remain on standby today in case re-ignitions occur.
During the height of the crisis:
- The village of Vourvourou was evacuated.
- Camping areas were cleared as a precaution, with some children spending the night safely on the beach.
- Emergency alerts were issued via the 112 Civil Protection system.
According to Christos Stergiadis, head of Civil Protection for Central Macedonia, the decision to open firebreaks during the calm wind window after 19:00 was crucial to halting the fire’s spread, especially toward the dense pine forests of Mount Dragounteli.
Authorities emphasize that, while the immediate danger has passed, monitoring will continue, and the area remains under close surveillance.
🧭 What You Should Do
- ❗ Avoid the Livari-Vourvourou area
- 🚗 If nearby, evacuate north toward Nikiti
- 📞 Stay updated via 112 alerts and local news
- ✅ Follow instructions from Civil Protection and emergency services
- 💧 Stay hydrated and prepared for possible further evacuations
➤ Stay Safe in Sithonia
This is a developing story. Visit VisitSithonia.com for real-time updates and important safety information during this emergency.
