Power grid under scrutiny: Faulty lines linked to major Greek wildfires

After several severe wildfires in Greece, suspicion is growing that problems in electricity networks may have played a larger role than previously known. Reuters reported on August 18, 2026 that investigators linked faulty power lines to two of the country's biggest fires this year. Short circuits, damaged lines, extreme heat, strong winds and very dry vegetation are all under scrutiny.

One example is the area around Agios Vasileios in southern Greece. A devastating fire broke out there in late July, after a smaller blaze had already occurred in the same area on 27 June. A confidential fire-service report reviewed by Reuters said the earlier fire was probably caused by a short circuit on a privately owned electricity network. The lines belong to a wind farm near Mavro Spithari and are not part of HEDNO's public distribution network.

The smaller fire may therefore have been an early warning. The report pointed to recurring problems in the operation or condition of the private network. Weeks later, another major fire destroyed forest, olive groves and residential areas. Two firefighters also died when two firefighting helicopters collided in mid-air during the response.

Faulty power lines have also been linked to a major fire on Crete. Two firefighters died there as well and tourists had to be evacuated. Data from a Greek unit investigating arson and fire causes suggests suspected electricity-network failures may be associated with about 75% of the land burned this year. HEDNO strongly disputes that figure and says historically well below 1% of fires have involved the public distribution network.

Greece's electricity infrastructure operates in difficult conditions. Many overhead lines cross dry scrub and forest, while summer heat and strong winds can turn a spark into a fast-moving fire. Parts of the system also suffered years of underinvestment during the financial crisis. HEDNO says annual investment has risen from about €150 million in 2019 to around €800 million today, with roughly 1,800 kilometers of lines placed underground each year. The full distribution network is about 250,000 kilometers long.

The debate matters for power security as well as fire prevention: the same weaknesses that can ignite fires can also cause local outages or urgent repairs. The investigations are not complete, and the wind-farm lines at the centre of one case are explicitly private. Even so, pressure is growing to inspect overhead lines faster, modernize critical sections and move more cables underground in high-risk areas.

Source: Reuters, August 18, 2026, “Devastating Greek wildfires stoke fear of faulty power lines”.