Fire in forest area at Skala, Chalkidiki

A fire broke out around 12:30 in the afternoon on Saturday, September 12, 2026, in an agricultural-forest area near Skala, in the Municipality of Aristoteles in Chalkidiki, according to cnn.gr and in.gr. The Fire Service immediately mobilized significant forces to deal with the incident, as the fire front was spreading across difficult terrain with agricultural and forest areas. A total of 43 firefighters with 12 vehicles rushed to the site, reinforced by a foot unit of the 2nd Special Motorized Unit of Forest Fire Fighting (EMOT), which operates in areas not accessible by vehicles. In parallel, the firefighting operation was also reinforced from the air, with one helicopter and two aircraft carrying out continuous water drops on the fire front. As of the latest update, firefighting was ongoing and the fire had not been announced as brought under control, with forces remaining in full readiness at the site.

Due to the extent and intensity of the phenomenon, the citizen early warning system was activated and a message was sent via 112 to residents of the wider Skala area. The message urged residents to remain vigilant and strictly follow instructions from authorities, though it made no mention of evacuations of specific settlements, according to reports from in.gr and cnn.gr. Information via 112 is an established Civil Protection practice for incidents with increased risk of spreading, so residents are prepared and can respond immediately if conditions worsen. Following the authorities’ instructions, as emphasized in the message, remains critical for resident safety while firefighting operations continue.

The Municipality of Aristoteles is located in the eastern part of Chalkidiki, in an area with extensive forests, pine forests and agricultural cultivation, where September is often characterized by prolonged drought, high temperatures and strong winds, factors that maintain elevated fire risk until the first autumn rains. On Saturday, September 12, 2026, according to the daily fire danger forecast map, elevated fire danger was in effect across many areas of the country, placing the Chalkidiki incident within a broader context of heightened readiness of firefighting forces at the national level. During the same period, the Fire Service has dealt with other incidents in Northern Greece, such as the recent fire in Neo Rysio, Thessaloniki, which also required air support, evidence of the intensity of this year’s autumn season for the country’s forest fire services.

Firefighting operations in Skala, Chalkidiki continued with all available ground and aerial forces, while the Fire Service has not yet announced a full assessment of the burned area, the cause of the fire’s outbreak, or any property damage. Authorities are expected to update their information later, as conditions in the field evolve and firefighting continues. Until then, residents of the wider area are urged to remain alert and informed, following official instructions from authorities and avoiding travel near the fire front. The article will be updated with fresh information as soon as it is officially announced by the Fire Service.