Oinoi (Attica) Wildfire Swells, Thousands of Firefighters Battling

A wildfire erupted on the afternoon of 5 July in the pine‑forested area of Sphaka near Oinoi, in the Mandra‑Eidyllia municipality of Attica. Strong winds pushed the fire into a large, difficult‑to‑reach forested zone. By evening the fire was described as being “in a control phase”, with no houses directly threatened.

Fire‑fighting forces have been heavily reinforced. Up to 210 firefighters, 10 hiking‑team groups, 45 ground vehicles and dozens of volunteers are on the scene, coordinated from the mobile command centre “OLYMPOS”. Aerial support includes up to 29 aircraft (19 fixed‑wing planes and 10 helicopters), of which two are dedicated to coordination, as well as drones providing live imagery. The regional authority supplied water‑tankers from six municipalities, creating a “hydro‑wall” to protect settlements.

Traffic on the old Athens‑Thebes national road has been partially closed, and the Hellenic Train suspended services between Athens and Chalkida. Residents received alerts via the 112 emergency number, advising them to stay on standby. The mayor of Mandra reported eyewitness accounts that a discarded cigarette from a passing vehicle may have ignited the fire, a hypothesis now under police investigation. As of the latest reports the fire is weakening, with the focus remaining on preventing re‑ignition and protecting remaining forest areas.