Halkidiki: 350 hectares of ash in Sivyri

The Fire Service estimates that the wildfire in Sivyri, on the Kassandra peninsula of Halkidiki, burned 350 hectares. That figure corresponds to about 1% of the total area of the Kassandra peninsula, which exceeds 33,400 hectares. For comparison, the major 2006 wildfire in the same area had burned about 7,700 hectares, or nearly a quarter of the peninsula. This year’s fire was the most serious of the 40 forest fire incidents the Fire Service had to tackle nationwide within a single 24-hour period. The 40 incidents in one day reflect the strain on the mechanism on days with strong winds and high temperatures across the country.

During the fire, one informational message and three 112 evacuation alerts were issued. A total of 446 people were taken to safety by boats from the Fire Service, the Coast Guard and private vessels. Evacuation by sea has become established practice in coastal wildfires, when road exits risk being cut off by the flames or blocked by the simultaneous flight of vehicles. On Kassandra, where development is concentrated in a narrow coastal strip with limited road axes, this option was crucial. The evacuation operation was carried out with the help of private boats that were in the area, a practice that has been repeated in coastal wildfires in recent years with positive results.

By Friday morning, August 14, there was no single active fire front. Firefighting forces were carrying out mop-up operations and tackling scattered hotspots in ravines, where access is difficult and remaining hotspots can stay active for days. Services remained on standby due to the winds expected to strengthen from midday, as flare-ups on burned ground under strong wind are the main risk scenario for the coming days.

Kassandra is one of the most densely tourism-developed destinations in northern Greece, and the fire broke out at the peak of the season, when the peninsula’s population multiplies. The Municipality of Kassandra suspended the events it had scheduled for the August 15 holiday. The causes of the fire remain unknown and are being investigated by the competent authorities. Assessment of damage to property and infrastructure has not been completed. More on the Fires page. Restoration of the burned area will depend on forestry studies and erosion-control works that are usually required before the first autumn rains, in order to prevent flooding.