Residents of three suburbs north of Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city, were ordered to evacuate overnight as a fast-moving wildfire approached the urban area.

The blaze, driven by strong winds and dry conditions, spread rapidly towards the city's outskirts, prompting emergency services to issue immediate evacuation orders for the communities of Pefka, Asvestochori, and Exochi.

The fire originated in dry scrubland several kilometres north-east of Thessaloniki on Saturday afternoon, quickly consuming vegetation and sending thick plumes of smoke across the region.

As darkness fell, the glow of the approaching flames became visible from parts of the city, causing concern among residents.

Suburbs Under Immediate Evacuation Orders

Police and fire brigade units went door-to-door in the affected areas, urging residents to leave their homes and proceed to designated safe zones.

Many families gathered essential belongings and departed by car, creating traffic congestion on outbound routes.

Local authorities established temporary shelters in municipal buildings further within Thessaloniki for those without alternative accommodation.

thessaloniki wildfire smoke evacuation

Firefighting efforts continued through the night, with ground crews battling the blaze in challenging terrain. Water-dropping aircraft, including helicopters and Canadair planes, are expected to resume operations at first light on Sunday morning, weather permitting.

The Civil Protection agency issued an alert for extreme fire risk across several regions of northern Greece this weekend, citing a combination of high temperatures, low humidity, and blustery winds.

Decades of Summer Blazes Plague Greece

Greece faces a recurring battle with wildfires during its hot, dry summer months, often exacerbated by prolonged heatwaves and inadequate prevention measures.

In recent years, the country has experienced increasingly intense and destructive fire seasons, with several major blazes causing significant damage to forests, homes, and agricultural land, particularly in the Attica region surrounding Athens and on numerous islands.

Scientists attribute the growing severity of these events to climate change, which is leading to hotter and drier conditions across the Mediterranean basin, extending the fire season and increasing the likelihood of extreme fire behaviour.

Government officials have repeatedly stressed the importance of public vigilance and strict adherence to fire safety regulations.

Despite significant investment in firefighting equipment and personnel, the sheer scale of some blazes often overwhelms resources.

Ongoing Battle Against Spreading Flames

Emergency services are working to establish fire breaks and protect critical infrastructure, including the regional hospital located near the evacuated suburbs.

The mayor of Thessaloniki, Konstantinos Zervas, appealed for calm and urged residents to follow official instructions.

He confirmed that all available municipal resources were mobilised to support the fire brigade and assist displaced citizens.

The extent of the damage to homes and property in the evacuated areas remains unclear as firefighting operations are ongoing.

Authorities have closed several roads leading into the affected zone to facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles and ensure public safety, with diversions in place for traffic.

Further updates on the fire's trajectory and the duration of the evacuation orders are expected later on Sunday.