A wildfire broke out late on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, around 10 p.m. in a forested area near Agios Savvas on the island of Kalymnos, prompting an immediate response from the Hellenic Fire Service.
Volunteer firefighters from the Kalymnos Volunteer Fire Station rushed to the scene with fire engines and personnel, working intensively to contain the blaze and fully extinguish it. According to early reports by Kalymnos News, the fire has reached the hills above Gephyra. The front is reported to be extensive, significantly complicating firefighting efforts as crews continue their battle against the flames.
Nine firefighters are currently operating at the site with four fire engines. A municipal water tanker is also assisting. Aerial resources were deployed as part of the suppression effort, according to local sources.
In comments to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA), Kalymnos Mayor Giannis Mastrokoukos described the situation as ‘particularly critical’, stressing that the outcome hinges on whether the fire enters the nearby pine forest. ‘If it moves just a few more meters down into the pine forest, I don’t know what will happen,’ he said, expressing deep concern over the fire’s progression.
The mayor noted that the fire is currently moving uphill toward the Thermapyges area, while the pine forest extends all the way to the settlement of Agios Vasilios.
This incident follows another major wildfire in the same Agios Savvas area on 15 July, when flames ignited on the hills opposite the historic Holy Monastery of Agios Savvas and advanced toward the village of Pezoules. Strong winds then hampered containment efforts, requiring coordinated action from ground and air units, volunteers, and forestry personnel from the 11th Regional Forest Directorate (EMODE).