Greece’s Civil Protection Authority has issued a Category 5 RED alert — the highest level — for the Viotia region to the west of Athens, effective from the morning of 1 August 2026. An active wildfire near Porto Germeno is burning towards several villages along the Gulf of Corinth coastline. Mandatory evacuations are in progress.
Areas affected
The fire is currently concentrated in the foothills north of Porto Germeno, approximately 70 kilometres west of central Athens. The following villages are under evacuation orders as of 01:00 local time on 1 August:
- Porto Germeno
- Alep ochori
- Oinoi
Civil protection teams are using air support including Canadair aircraft and helicopters. Smoke is visible from the western suburbs of Athens. Road access on the E962 between Thiva and Porto Germeno is closed. Do not attempt to enter the area.
Athens and the airports
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH) is operating normally. There are no reports of flight diversions or cancellations at the time of publication. Air quality in central Athens is reduced due to smoke, and people with respiratory conditions should limit outdoor activity.
The Athens metro and suburban railway are unaffected. If you are staying in Athens and are not near the Viotia area, there is no requirement to change your plans at this stage. We recommend monitoring the Civil Protection Authority’s website and the 112 emergency line for updates.
Travel advice
Travellers heading to or from the Gulf of Corinth coast — including Corinth city and the coastal road west of it — should use the E65 motorway via Lamia as an alternative route and avoid the coastal road until the evacuation order is lifted.
If you have accommodation booked in Porto Germeno or the immediate surrounding area, contact your host or hotel directly. The area may remain inaccessible for several days.
For anyone travelling to Athens over the coming days, the city itself is safe, though we advise against excursions towards Viotia until conditions improve. Greece experiences elevated fire risk every August; our Greece safety guide covers emergency contacts and protocols. If you need to rebook flights into or out of Greece, see our flights to Greece guide for the main carriers and contact details.
We are monitoring this situation and will update this page as conditions change.