Two firefighting helicopters collided west of Athens during ongoing wildfire suppression efforts, according to local media reports cited by German news agency DPA, leaving one crew safe while search operations continue for the second aircraft. Wildfires across the region have destroyed over ten thousand hectares of vegetation since Friday, fueled by strong winds that have severely hampered aerial operations.
Helicopter Collision and Megara Evacuations in Greece
A video broadcast by Greek television station ERT captured the mid-air collision, showing one helicopter striking another from above before the second aircraft crashed. Following the impact, pilots from one of the helicopters made radio contact with fire service headquarters, while the status of the other crew remains unknown according to ERT. Ground crews numbering around 500 firefighters battled the blaze near the resort of Porto Germeno, situated approximately 50 kilometers west of Athens, local media reported Sunday. Strong winds pushed the flames within several kilometers of Megara, a city of roughly 36,000 residents, prompting authorities to evacuate multiple villages in the area.
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According to the fire service investigation, the Greek wildfire originated when a private power line from a wind turbine fell into the public grid. Police subsequently detained a person who developed the project and a person who installed the line for suspected negligence, while actively searching for the power plant owner.
International Response and Czech Firefighter Deployment
Czech firefighters deployed via the European Union civil protection mechanism are actively operating on the northern coast of the Corinthian Gulf near the town of Skaloma. “Firefighting continued through the night, and crews are working right now,” stated fire service press spokesperson Klára Ochmanová on Sunday morning. Greece, which faces recurring summer blazes, also reported active fire fronts on other islands, including Kefalonia, where authorities ordered the evacuation of several villages.
Washington State Emergency Declaration and Spokane Evacuations
Across the Atlantic, the U.S. state of Washington declared a state of emergency amid one of the worst wildfire seasons in its history, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate Spokane in the northwest. The “Old Trails” wildfire reached Spokane on Saturday afternoon, though municipal authorities reported no immediate injuries, and the National Guard has been mobilized to assist. Washington is enduring its fourth year of record drought, with over a thousand fires consuming approximately 172,000 hectares this year—the largest burn area since 2021, according to the governor’s office. Twelve large fires currently burn across more than 80,000 hectares, prompting public lands commissioner Dave Upthegrove to note that this year is already one of the most demanding in terms of forest fires in history.
France Wildfire Containment Near Bordeaux
In southwest France, firefighters near Bordeaux are constructing firebreaks by clearing vegetation to halt further spread in the Gironde department. The blaze, which scorched 42,000 hectares of forest in under two weeks, was brought under control on Saturday, according to local prefecture statements. “The situation remains stable, the fire is under control, although active hotspots persist in the communes of Lège and Le Porge,” the prefecture announced, noting that residents from those areas remain displaced following earlier mass evacuations of 224,000 people in the region. Despite the containment, the red wildfire alert level remains active in Gironde. Additional reinforcements from Ukraine, Lithuania, and Polynesia are scheduled to arrive under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, aiding a French fire season that has already surpassed the record set in 2022 by consuming over 117,000 hectares of forest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the wildfire near Athens?
According to fire service investigations, the fire started when a private power line connected to a wind turbine fell into the public utility grid.
Are international firefighters assisting in Europe?
Yes. Czech firefighters are deployed near Skaloma under the EU civil protection mechanism, and additional crews from Ukraine, Lithuania, and Polynesia are scheduled to arrive in France.
Why did Washington State declare an emergency?
According to the governor’s office, the state is experiencing severe drought conditions and widespread fires that have burned approximately 172,000 hectares, prompting evacuations in Spokane.
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