Wildfire near Siviri, Halkidiki

A fast-moving wildfire broke out around midday on 13 August 2026 in low vegetation near Siviri, on the Kassandra peninsula in Halkidiki, northern Greece, and spread into forest within hours as strong winds pushed the front toward the coast.

The fire forced the evacuation of Siviri and Fourka. With the road out blocked, the Hellenic Coast Guard evacuated 481 people from Siviri beach by sea, transferring them to Sani marina aboard patrol boats and the passenger vessel Speedrunner — one of the largest sea evacuations of the Greek fire season so far.

142 firefighters, 51 vehicles, nine water-bombing aircraft and seven helicopters were deployed. Two firefighters were injured. Siviri's sewage treatment plant and its open-air theatre suffered serious damage, and at least one home was destroyed.

By late evening on 13 August authorities reported no active fire front, though crews remained on site watching for flare-ups. Gale-force winds of over 100 km/h are forecast across the region for the following 48 hours, keeping the risk of reignition high.

Halkidiki is one of Greece's most visited summer destinations, and Kassandra — the westernmost of its three peninsulas — is at peak occupancy in mid-August. Travellers with bookings in Siviri, Fourka or Kassandreia should check directly with their accommodation before travelling.