Authorities have successfully brought a forest fire under control on Mount Parnitha, located north of Athens. The incident, which began earlier on Thursday on the mountain’s southern slope, has now been contained. The response effort involved approximately 100 personnel, including firefighters and volunteers, alongside 22 fire engines and dedicated firefighting aircraft.
Reports confirm no injuries or threats to residential areas resulted from the blaze. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. The recent outbreak highlights the ongoing environmental challenges faced by the mount.
Mount Parnitha, which once featured dense forest cover, has sustained significant damage from a series of consecutive summer wildfires that have depleted vast areas of woodland and vegetation. In response to escalating fire risks, Greece has instituted mandatory nationwide measures requiring property owners to clear dry vegetation, with penalties established for non-compliance. Locally, Athens Mayor Haris Doukas has urged residents to proactively maintain their properties throughout the fire-risk season to mitigate the likelihood and spread of future fires.
Looking toward enhanced preparedness, the Greek newspaper Proto Thema reported that in 2026, the country is slated to receive 164 new fire engines valued at EUR 15.5 million. This new equipment includes specialized tanker trucks with capacities up to 12,000 liters, as well as high-mobility vehicles designed for operation in difficult terrain, bolstering national fire response capabilities.
Topics: #fire #mount #parnitha
