A wildfire spread towards Dardiza, near Ermioni, on Wednesday 19th June 2024.  Firefighters tackled the blaze with the help of two small water-bombing aircraft and two water-dropping helicopters.  The two aircraft were seen and heard circling Ermioni's Kapari Bay all afternoon and evening, before flying over and dropping water over the blazing fires at Dardiza.  Strong winds today have fanned the flames, making firefighting extremely difficult.  Dardiza is a small village about 3.5 kms East of Ermioni, located on the coastal road leading towards Thermisia, Pigadia, Metochi, Galatas and Poros.  The village itself is set on a small wooded hillside, with a popular beach alongside the coastal road, which the local people enjoy during the summer months.  The aircraft and helicopters returned the next morning.

The wildfire seems to have started close to the mountain villages of Loukaiti and Iliokastro, with the strong winds taking the flames down towards Dardiza and the sea during the day.  85 firefighters and 19 vehicles remain and continue operations in the area, supported by two small PZL aircraft and three helicopters, with a large Canadair water-bombing aircraft joining them on Thursday.  

Two homes, some warehouses and olive groves have been damaged by the wildfire.  Local residents have been informed by 112 messages to move away from the affected area to Thermisia and Petrothalassa.  The firefighting continued for the rest of Thursday.

On Friday 21st June, a major fire broke out around 15:30 in Kranidi.  As the fire was close to residential homes, a 112 message was sent out to evacuate the area to Porto Heli and Ermioni.  48 firefighters were operating at the scene with 21 vehicles and 6 helicopters.  Conditions at the site are difficult, as strong winds of 8 Beaufort are blowing in the area, spreading the flames quickly.  Many olive groves and fruit trees have been destroyed, particularly on the plain and hillside facing Ermioni, with the strong winds spreading the wildfire all the way down to the the main and secondary Kranidi-Ermioni roads.  The devastation at Kranidi looks far worse than the destruction of the fire at Dardiza, seeing it was in a more confined area.  The fire was later brought under control.

Dozens of wildfires have broken out in Greece in recent days amid scorching summer temperatures and strong winds, some appear to have been deliberately started, but thankfully, most have been extinguished before they could cause extensive damage.  Greek authorities have warned of a particularly high risk of wildfires this coming summer following a very dry, warm winter that has left vegetation tinder-dry throughout the country.