As a major wildfire continues to engulf eastern Crete in Greece, authorities have ordered mass evacuations in the affected areas. The fire began on Wednesday afternoon near Ierapetra and has rapidly spread across rugged terrain, fueled by powerful winds reaching up to eight on the Beaufort scale. With a fire front currently extending over at least 6 km, emergency services face significant challenges in containment efforts.
Thick plumes of smoke have enveloped nearby regions, drastically reducing visibility and impacting air quality. The smoke has stretched all the way to Makry Gialos beach, approximately 10 km from the point of origin. Law enforcement has closed key roads, advising both residents and visitors to refrain from unnecessary travel due to toxic air conditions, extreme temperatures, and ash fallout. Local settlements, including Agia Fotia, have witnessed destruction of homes and rental properties, alongside power outages exacerbated by the situation. Reports indicate at least four elderly individuals have required hospitalization due to smoke-related respiratory issues, with health authorities placing all hospitals in Crete on alert.
In response to the escalating threat, authorities have initiated a mass evacuation from hotels and residences in the Ferma municipality, supported by fire services, police, and local volunteers. As the operation unfolds, approximately 1,500 individuals have already been evacuated, with around 200 currently seeking shelter in a local sports facility.
The firefighting team has been bolstered, with 155 firefighters, eight specialized teams, and 38 fire engines deployed on-site, alongside aerial support from four helicopters conducting water drops. Additional firefighting resources are on the way, with units traveling by ferry and air to assist in combating the blaze. As a precautionary measure, the fire service has tactically withdrawn from certain fronts to safeguard personnel while focusing on establishing firebreaks around at-risk communities, with crews remaining on alert throughout the night.
Emergency alerts have been issued via the public warning system, urging evacuations from various locations, including Achlia, Ferma, Agia Fotia, and Koutsounari, directing evacuees towards Ierapetra. Some individuals stranded by road were evacuated by boat from beaches nearby. The fire, presumed to have ignited between Agia Fotia and Skinokapsala, continues to advance through dense, highly combustible woodlands, presenting a formidable challenge for firefighting teams. In a related context, earlier this week, Turkey faced its own devastating wildfire crisis, resulting in the evacuation of over 50,000 individuals in Izmir, with extreme heat exacerbating conditions across Europe and leading to multiple fatalities in various countries including Spain, Italy, and France.
Thick plumes of smoke have enveloped nearby regions, drastically reducing visibility and impacting air quality. The smoke has stretched all the way to Makry Gialos beach, approximately 10 km from the point of origin. Law enforcement has closed key roads, advising both residents and visitors to refrain from unnecessary travel due to toxic air conditions, extreme temperatures, and ash fallout. Local settlements, including Agia Fotia, have witnessed destruction of homes and rental properties, alongside power outages exacerbated by the situation. Reports indicate at least four elderly individuals have required hospitalization due to smoke-related respiratory issues, with health authorities placing all hospitals in Crete on alert.
In response to the escalating threat, authorities have initiated a mass evacuation from hotels and residences in the Ferma municipality, supported by fire services, police, and local volunteers. As the operation unfolds, approximately 1,500 individuals have already been evacuated, with around 200 currently seeking shelter in a local sports facility.
The firefighting team has been bolstered, with 155 firefighters, eight specialized teams, and 38 fire engines deployed on-site, alongside aerial support from four helicopters conducting water drops. Additional firefighting resources are on the way, with units traveling by ferry and air to assist in combating the blaze. As a precautionary measure, the fire service has tactically withdrawn from certain fronts to safeguard personnel while focusing on establishing firebreaks around at-risk communities, with crews remaining on alert throughout the night.
Emergency alerts have been issued via the public warning system, urging evacuations from various locations, including Achlia, Ferma, Agia Fotia, and Koutsounari, directing evacuees towards Ierapetra. Some individuals stranded by road were evacuated by boat from beaches nearby. The fire, presumed to have ignited between Agia Fotia and Skinokapsala, continues to advance through dense, highly combustible woodlands, presenting a formidable challenge for firefighting teams. In a related context, earlier this week, Turkey faced its own devastating wildfire crisis, resulting in the evacuation of over 50,000 individuals in Izmir, with extreme heat exacerbating conditions across Europe and leading to multiple fatalities in various countries including Spain, Italy, and France.
