A major wildfire continues to burn out of control in southern Rethymno, Crete, destroying homes, farmland and livestock as hundreds of firefighters battle difficult conditions driven by strong winds.
The fire first broke out on Wednesday in low vegetation near Krya Vrysi in the municipality of Agios Vasileios and has since expanded into multiple active fronts.
Firefighters worked throughout the night to contain the blaze, which has already destroyed agricultural land, farming operations, grazing areas, homes and livestock.
According to the Hellenic Fire Service, 224 firefighters are currently operating at the scene, supported by 11 specialised forest firefighting teams from the 3rd, 6th and 19th EMODE units, volunteers and 53 fire engines.
Strong winds have severely limited aerial firefighting operations, with only two helicopters able to assist ground crews.
Fire Front Exceeds 15 Kilometres
Crete Deputy Regional Governor for Civil Protection Giorgos Tsapakos told state broadcaster ERT that the wildfire front has stretched beyond 15 kilometres.
He said powerful winds continue to hamper firefighting efforts and confirmed that authorities carried out precautionary evacuations overnight in the Triopetra area to protect residents and visitors.
Tsapakos added that no communities currently face an immediate threat, as authorities have already completed the necessary evacuations.
Water tankers and heavy machinery from Civil Protection, the Region of Crete and local municipalities are supporting firefighting operations, while volunteers and local residents continue assisting emergency crews.
Emergency Alerts and Reinforcements
The latest emergency alerts issued through Greece’s 112 Civil Protection system were sent shortly before midnight, directing people to leave the Ligres and Agia Paraskevi areas and move towards Agalianos and Kerames.
Authorities are also reinforcing the response, with an additional 18 firefighters, one specialised EMODE unit and six fire engines arriving by ferry from Piraeus via Souda Port in Chania.
Seven ambulances remain on standby in the wider Krya Vrysi, Orne and Agia Galini areas, while the Hellenic Police and Hellenic Coast Guard have also deployed personnel.
Officials say extensive damage has already occurred, with emergency services continuing efforts to protect homes and remaining properties.
Smoke Plume Travelled Around 100 Kilometres
Scientists from the National Observatory of Athens’ meteo.gr weather service analysed satellite data from the Meteosat-12 satellite operated by EUMETSAT.
Their analysis showed that the wildfire’s smoke plume travelled approximately 100 kilometres south, driven by the prevailing winds.
Situation Improves in Sitia
Conditions have improved in eastern Crete, where firefighters have largely contained the wildfire near Atherinolakkos in the Sitia region.
The fire remains confined to a difficult-to-access mountain ridge and no longer threatens populated areas.
Authorities expect aerial water-bombing operations to bring the blaze under control.
Twenty-five firefighters, one EMODE team, eight fire engines, municipal water tankers and heavy machinery from private contractors and regional authorities continue working at the site.