Thessaloniki wildfire spurs 26 firefighters and helicopters in Koufalia

A fire broke out in low‑vegetation brush in the Koufalia area of Thessaloniki on Saturday around 12:45 p.m., prompting an 112 emergency call. Authorities mobilized 26 firefighters, a volunteer hiking team, nine fire‑engine vehicles and two helicopters to contain the blaze, while nearby residents were advised to stay on alert. The incident was monitored by drones equipped with visual and thermal cameras, and a crime‑scene unit investigated the cause. No homes or infrastructure were reported as threatened.

The Koufalia fire is part of a broader surge of wildfires across Greece, with simultaneous incidents reported in Corfu’s Vasilika Ahara, Rhodes’ high‑altitude region between Emponas and Agios Isidoros, and in Attica’s Spata and Agios Stefanos. Firefighting crews, including helicopters and aircraft, are also deployed in these locations as the authorities issue heightened fire‑danger warnings for several regions.

Overall, emergency services are coordinating a multi‑regional response to the ongoing wildfires, emphasizing readiness and public safety while investigating the ignition sources.