A major wildfire has wreaked havoc on Crete, prompting thousands of evacuations and challenging emergency response teams.
Massive Wildfires Prompt Evacuations on Crete as Flames Spread
Massive Wildfires Prompt Evacuations on Crete as Flames Spread
Severe weather conditions fuel rampant wildfires in eastern Crete, leading to urgent evacuation efforts.
Authorities in Greece are grappling with a major wildfire that has broken out in eastern Crete, particularly near Ierapetra, since Wednesday afternoon. Spurred by strong winds reaching up to eight on the Beaufort scale, the flames have quickly expanded over a distance of at least 6km, posing significant threats to homes and tourist accommodations while also impacting critical infrastructure, such as fuel stations.
Thick plumes of smoke have engulfed the vicinity, notably affecting visibility conditions to nearly zero in certain areas. The smoke has been observed extending all the way to Makry Gialos beach, about 10km away from Achlia, which is where firefighters are primarily engaged in combating the blaze. In light of the hazardous environment, police have shut down the main road near Agia Fotia and advised locals and tourists to avoid all unnecessary travel.
Reports indicate that damage to property in Agia Fotia includes both homes and rental units, with local residents experiencing power outages. Concerns over safety have resulted in at least four elderly individuals being hospitalized due to smoke inhalation. Consequently, health authorities have heightened readiness at all hospitals across Crete.
In anticipation of further danger, a mass evacuation of hotels, rental rooms, and residential homes in the Ferma municipality is currently in progress. Approximately 1,500 people have been successfully evacuated from nearby settlements and tourist hotspots to Ierapetra, with around 200 evacuees sheltering in the town's sports arena.
Efforts to combat the fire have been bolstered, with 155 firefighters, eight specialized teams, and 38 fire engines actively working on the ground. The air response has included four helicopters conducting water drops until dusk. Additional firefighting resources are on the move: 17 firefighters and a specialized team are traveling via ferry from Piraeus, while a separate unit of 33 firefighters and EMODE teams is set to arrive by air from Elefsina.
As conditions worsen, the fire service has decided on a tactical withdrawal from the front lines to protect personnel and concentrate on establishing protective firebreaks around vulnerable settlements. Crews will remain on alert overnight. Emergency alerts via Greece’s public notification system have been issued throughout the day, instructing residents and visitors from affected areas like Achlia, Ferma, and Agia Fotia to evacuate towards Ierapetra.
In a simultaneous report, over 50,000 people were evacuated in Turkey due to wildfires in Izmir, signaling a broader issue as Europe wrestles with an intense heatwave that has resulted in at least six heat-related deaths across Spain, Italy, and France.
Thick plumes of smoke have engulfed the vicinity, notably affecting visibility conditions to nearly zero in certain areas. The smoke has been observed extending all the way to Makry Gialos beach, about 10km away from Achlia, which is where firefighters are primarily engaged in combating the blaze. In light of the hazardous environment, police have shut down the main road near Agia Fotia and advised locals and tourists to avoid all unnecessary travel.
Reports indicate that damage to property in Agia Fotia includes both homes and rental units, with local residents experiencing power outages. Concerns over safety have resulted in at least four elderly individuals being hospitalized due to smoke inhalation. Consequently, health authorities have heightened readiness at all hospitals across Crete.
In anticipation of further danger, a mass evacuation of hotels, rental rooms, and residential homes in the Ferma municipality is currently in progress. Approximately 1,500 people have been successfully evacuated from nearby settlements and tourist hotspots to Ierapetra, with around 200 evacuees sheltering in the town's sports arena.
Efforts to combat the fire have been bolstered, with 155 firefighters, eight specialized teams, and 38 fire engines actively working on the ground. The air response has included four helicopters conducting water drops until dusk. Additional firefighting resources are on the move: 17 firefighters and a specialized team are traveling via ferry from Piraeus, while a separate unit of 33 firefighters and EMODE teams is set to arrive by air from Elefsina.
As conditions worsen, the fire service has decided on a tactical withdrawal from the front lines to protect personnel and concentrate on establishing protective firebreaks around vulnerable settlements. Crews will remain on alert overnight. Emergency alerts via Greece’s public notification system have been issued throughout the day, instructing residents and visitors from affected areas like Achlia, Ferma, and Agia Fotia to evacuate towards Ierapetra.
In a simultaneous report, over 50,000 people were evacuated in Turkey due to wildfires in Izmir, signaling a broader issue as Europe wrestles with an intense heatwave that has resulted in at least six heat-related deaths across Spain, Italy, and France.
