What is the name and location of the wildfire?
As of July 1, 2026, a major wildfire is burning near the villages of Liti and Derveni in the municipality of Oreokastro, approximately 15 km northwest of Thessaloniki in northern Greece.
The fire broke out on June 30 and spread rapidly through dry vegetation and nearby forest areas under strong winds and extreme wildfire conditions. The blaze has caused fatalities and damaged several properties as it moved toward residential areas (1).
Which cities or areas are affected by the Thessaloniki Fire?
The cities and areas affected by the Thessaloniki fire include:
- Derveni
- Liti
- Melissochori
- Northwestern outskirts of Thessaloniki
- Surrounding forest and rural areas
Smoke from the wildfire may also affect air quality in Thessaloniki and neighboring communities depending on wind conditions.
What is the current containment status of the Thessaloniki Fire?
As of July 1, 2026, firefighters have largely contained the main fire front, although crews remain on scene to prevent flare-ups and extinguish remaining hotspots. More than 115 firefighters, 36 fire engines, specialist forest firefighting teams, aircraft, helicopters, and volunteers have been involved in suppression efforts.
Strong winds and dry conditions contributed to rapid fire spread and complicated containment operations (2).
Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?
Evacuation alerts were issued through Greece's 112 emergency warning system as the wildfire intensified on June 30 (3). Residents in Liti were instructed to evacuate toward the local sports ground as a precaution while the fire approached homes and forested areas.
Authorities continue urging residents to follow official instructions and remain alert as firefighters monitor for flare-ups and additional fire activity across the region.
How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?
Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
