Μake us preferred on Google More than 220 firefighters are battling an out-of-control wildfire on the Greek island of Crete as the country confronts multiple blazes fanned by gale-force winds, extreme heat, and tinder-dry conditions.
The fire, which erupted on Wednesday, continues to burn unchecked across southern Rethymno, advancing toward the area of Preveli, which is located at the exit of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, where the Megalopotamos River flows into the Libyan Sea. Strong winds have grounded firefighting aircraft, severely hampering efforts to contain the fast-moving blaze. According to the latest reports, a large part of the famous Preveli Palm Forest has gone up in flames.
Authorities declared the municipality of Agios Vassilios in a state of emergency on Thursday, after the fire swept through the region. A new outbreak was also reported in the village of Asomatos and the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, further stretching firefighting resources.
More than 224 firefighters, supported by 11 specialist forest firefighting teams and 53 fire engines, have been deployed to the operation.
Residents and tourists in villages across the affected areas have been evacuated after emergency alerts were issued through Greece’s 112 warning system.
New Blazes Erupt Across Greece
The Crete wildfire is one of several large fires burning across Greece. New blazes broke out on Thursday, on the island of Andros and Kalymnos, in Elassona, on the mainland, and Tanagra. Firefighters also responded to a renewed outbreak near Kamari on the island of Paros.
The crisis has taken a devastating human toll. Three fire fighters lost their lives in Greece in the past 24 hours while battling wildfires across the country. The funerals of the two Cretan firemen – 25-year-old Pantelis Diamantakis and 58-year-old Manolis Stratidakis were held on Thursday. Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in for 27-year-old firefighter Konstantinos Laimodetis, who was found dead near a wildfire in Gythio. His death has deeply affected his hometown of Agrinio.
Greece Remains on High Wildfire Alert
Greece’s Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has placed the National Civil Protection mechanism on heightened alert, as very high wildfire danger persists across large parts of the country. Meteorologists warn that the combination of powerful winds and soaring temperatures will continue into Friday, creating conditions for rapid fire spread and making firefighting efforts even more challenging.
The warning comes as European officials caution that southern Europe is entering the most dangerous phase of this year’s wildfire season. On Wednesday, Maria Zuber, head of the European Union’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre, warned that the wildfire threat is shifting eastward toward Greece, following devastating fires in Spain and France. She said persistent heat, strong winds and prolonged drought have created ideal conditions for fast-moving wildfires across Greece, Italy and parts of Central Europe in the coming weeks.
