A major wildfire is sweeping through the Ierapetra area in southern Crete, with authorities battling flames on three active fronts and evacuating residents and tourists overnight. Fueled by gale-force winds reaching up to 10 on the Beaufort scale, the fire has burned homes and prompted a large-scale emergency response.

The fronts are located in the areas of Ferma, Koutsounari, and Agia Fotia, with strong winds creating chaotic fire behavior, including sudden flare-ups and unpredictable shifts in direction.

Local authorities coordinated with emergency services to evacuate multiple hotels in the early hours, moving around 1,500 people to safer locations including the town’s indoor basketball arena and other accommodations. Residents were also evacuated from beaches by boat.

“The situation is tragic,” Ierapetra Mayor Emmanouil Fragkoulis told Greek media.

Four people were hospitalized with respiratory problems, and several others were treated for minor injuries or mobility issues. Emergency services had to intervene in several instances to help residents leave their homes.

According to Deputy Regional Governor of Lasithi Yiannis Androulakis, the fire response is being challenged by extreme weather conditions. Firefighting reinforcements are arriving from Athens by air and sea, including 33 firefighters from Elefsina and 17 from Piraeus, along with additional vehicles and aerial support.

Currently, 155 firefighters, eight ground teams, and 38 fire engines are operating in the region. Four helicopters have also been deployed. Local government services are assisting with water trucks and heavy machinery, while volunteers and residents continue to help on the ground.

A level 4 (orange) wildfire alert—the second-highest in Greece’s fire risk classification—was issued for Crete by the Civil Protection Authority. At around 8:30 PM local time, an emergency alert via the 112 system instructed residents in Agia Fotia, Achlia, Galini, Ferma, and Koutsounari to evacuate toward Ierapetra.

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Flames rise as a wildfire burns near Ierapetra, on the island of Crete, Greece, July 2, 2025. REUTERS/Stefanos Rapanis

The island’s health emergency services (EKAV) are on high alert in Lasithi, operating eight ambulances. So far, they have transported three people with breathing difficulties, two with minor injuries, and one person with mobility issues to Ierapetra General Hospital.

Regional Governor of Crete Stavros Arnaoutakis praised the efforts of firefighting teams, stating that they are doing everything they can to protect lives and property.

As Crete braces for another difficult day, firefighting efforts continue around the clock amid dangerous conditions.