A new wildfire broke out on Saturday, 27 June 2026, in the Boeotia region of central Greece — this time near Petra, a village in the Aliartos area. According to initial reports, the blaze ignited in an agricultural-forestry zone and spread rapidly, reaching the first homes in the village.
Emergency Evacuation Ordered
The national emergency number 112 issued an urgent alert urging residents to evacuate the area immediately and head toward Livadeia, the regional capital of Boeotia. The message read: “If you are in the area of Petra, Regional Unit of Boeotia, evacuate toward Livadeia.” Citizens were also advised to remain prepared for further instructions from authorities.
Challenging Conditions Hamper Response
The fire is proving difficult to contain due to strong winds reaching up to 7 on the Beaufort scale, significantly hindering aerial and ground operations. An Air Force unit is currently operating in the area, adding complexity to coordination efforts.
Escalating Response Efforts
Initial response involved 26 firefighters, one infantry-style ground team from the 4th Emergency Response Unit (EMODE), nine vehicles, three aircraft, and one helicopter. Reinforcements soon arrived, bringing the total to 45 firefighters, six aircraft, and one helicopter. Additional support includes heavy machinery and municipal water tankers.
Local Officials Confirm Fire’s Advance
Georgios Dasiotis, Deputy Regional Governor of Boeotia, confirmed in an interview with ERT that the fire had already entered the village’s outskirts. He described a tree burning in a village courtyard where firefighters were actively engaged. Dasiotis emphasized the urgency of the situation and appealed for additional assistance, noting that reinforcements were being redirected from operations ongoing near Agios Vasilios.