Over 250 firefighters, supported by 12 water-dousing aircraft and seven helicopters, responded to the blaze, which ignited around 3 PM and swiftly approached the village situated 35 kilometers (20 miles) north of Athens.
“It surrounded the village in no time at all. The winds are really strong,” stated local resident Katerina Fylaktou to Reuters. “It started from a single point, and suddenly, the whole village was encircled.”
Evacuation alerts were issued for five nearby areas. Thick, brown smoke hung over much of Athens by early evening, reaching as far as the island of Aegina to the south.
This summer has seen hundreds of wildfires erupt across Greece, which is experiencing its hottest June and July after an exceptionally warm winter. Similar patterns are observable throughout the Mediterranean, where scientists attribute the fires to increasingly hot, dry conditions driven by climate change.
A European Commission report released in April identified 2023 as one of the worst wildfire seasons for Europe this century. In addition to Greece, fires have also emerged amid extreme heat in Spain and the Balkans this month.
Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, a spokesperson for the Greek fire brigade, noted that gale force winds contributed to the rapid spread of the Varnava blaze, with flames reaching heights of 25 meters (82 feet) and consuming vast areas of trees and shrubbery.
Another fire in a forest area near Megara, west of Athens, had been brought under control by Sunday afternoon, according to the fire brigade.
Several regions across Greece remained on high alert for fire dangers through Sunday and Monday.
"We are anticipating a particularly challenging week ahead," warned Kostas Lagouvardos, research director at the Athens Observatory. "If the Varnava fire is not contained tonight, we may face significant issues tomorrow."
Air operations were halted at dusk as firefighting efforts continued on the ground.
On Saturday, Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias announced emergency measures involving army, police, and volunteer assistance to combat wildfires until August 15.
"Extremely high temperatures and perilous weather conditions will persist," he emphasized. "Half of Greece will be under extreme caution."
Between June and July, 57 out of 61 days recorded temperatures above normal, according to Lagouvardos, who warned that Greece is on track for its hottest summer to date.