A major wildfire continues to burn across southern Rethymno in Crete, with multiple fire fronts remaining out of control after the blaze broke out on Wednesday afternoon near Krya Vrysi.
Firefighters battled through the night to contain the flames, which have destroyed farmland, agricultural holdings, homes and livestock. The wildfire in Crete has also scorched large areas of vegetation and grazing land.
Massive firefighting operation
More than 160 firefighters are deployed across the affected areas, supported by 45 fire engines from stations across Crete, 10 specialist EMODE units and additional ground crews.
Water tankers and heavy machinery from Civil Protection, the Region of Crete and local authorities are assisting the operation, while volunteers and local residents have also joined efforts to protect properties.
Reinforcements arrived on Thursday morning at Souda Port from Piraeus, including 18 additional firefighters, one EMODE ground team and six vehicles provided by the Region of Western Greece.
Evacuations and extensive damage
Emergency alerts issued through Greece’s 112 Civil Protection system ordered evacuations overnight from the wider areas of Ligres and Agia Paraskevi towards Agalianos and Kerames.
Authorities say the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but early reports indicate widespread destruction. Seven ambulances remain on standby, while police and coast guard units have also been mobilised.
Officials say efforts remain focused on protecting homes and preventing further losses.
Strong winds hamper aerial operations
Scientists analysing satellite data from Meteosat-12 reported that the wildfire’s smoke plume travelled approximately 100 kilometres south, driven by strong prevailing winds.
Those winds have also prevented firefighting aircraft from operating over southern Rethymno for much of Thursday morning, leaving ground crews to tackle a fire front stretching more than 15 kilometres.
Crete Deputy Regional Governor for Civil Protection Giorgos Tsapakos told Greek public broadcaster ERT that overnight evacuations were carried out in the Triopetra area as a precaution.
He said there is currently no settlement facing an immediate threat, stressing that the necessary evacuations have already been completed.
Situation improving in Sitia
The situation is more encouraging in the Atherinolakkos area of Sitia, where the wildfire has been contained on a remote mountain ridge and is no longer threatening populated areas.
Firefighters hope aerial support will be able to extinguish the blaze once weather conditions improve.
Also read: Paros wildfire forces evacuations as winds threaten flare-ups
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