A large wildfire broke in a forested area near the village of Tzigounas, close to Antiskari in the Mesara region of southern Crete, on Thursday, June 26, prompting a swift mobilization of firefighting forces.
Nineteen fire engines and 54 firefighters have been deployed to the scene, supported by a specialized ground team from the 3rd EMODE unit. Two firefighting helicopters are also involved in the operation, while local government water tankers are assisting efforts to contain the blaze and prevent its spread to surrounding areas.
As the situation escalated, authorities issued an emergency alert via the 112 emergency number shortly before 11:30 a.m., advising residents of the municipality of Phaistos to evacuate: “If you are in the Tzigounas area, evacuate towards Lentas in the Heraklion regional unit.”
Meanwhile, on the island of Chios in the Aegean Sea, firefighting operations continued yesterday amid renewed flare-ups, reigniting concern across a region already heavily impacted by wildfires burning since Sunday.
With Greece entering a mini heatwave expected to last several days — with temperatures soaring above 40°C and strong winds sweeping across much of the country — the General Secretariat for Civil Protection is urging heightened vigilance due to the extreme risk of new fire outbreaks.
