Μake us preferred on Google The wildfire that swept through southern Rethymno has left the renowned Preveli Palm Forest in Crete badly damaged, with newly released photographs highlighting the stark contrast between the lush landscape seen last summer and the charred scenery that remains today.
CONTRIBUTOR / EUROKINISSI
CONTRIBUTOR / EUROKINISSI
The images show large sections of the forest blackened by fire, transforming what had been a vibrant green landscape into an area marked by extensive burn scars. Journalists visiting the site described the scene as one of widespread destruction.
Officials Say Damage Is Serious but Not Total
Despite the dramatic images, local authorities said the damage may not be as extensive as it first appears.
Deputy Regional Governor for Civil Protection Giorgos Tsapakis expressed optimism that the destruction is less severe than initial impressions suggest. Rethymno Deputy Regional Governor Mary Lioni echoed that assessment, saying the forest had suffered damage but had not been completely destroyed.
CONTRIBUTOR / EUROKINISSI
CONTRIBUTOR / EUROKINISSI
CONTRIBUTOR / EUROKINISSI
CONTRIBUTOR / EUROKINISSI
Both officials stressed that the situation is not comparable to the devastating wildfire that struck the area in 2010.
Experts Expect the Forest to Recover
Manolis Avramakis of the Natural History Museum of Crete also expressed confidence that the palm forest will regenerate.
CONTRIBUTOR / EUROKINISSI
CONTRIBUTOR / EUROKINISSI
“The forest will recover. The palm is a very resilient tree. We saw this clearly the last time it burned,” Avramakis told Cretalive.
“As long as the groundwater remains healthy and the trees continue to grow in their natural environment, they will regenerate sooner or later despite the fire,” he said, pointing to the forest’s successful recovery following the 2010 wildfire.
