Crete Wildfire Forces Mass Evacuations as Blaze Continues
A massive wildfire continues to rage out of control in southeastern Crete, prompting the evacuation of over 1,500 people from homes, hotels, and villages around Ierapetra. Driven by fierce winds and scorching temperatures, the fire has destroyed properties in Agia Fotia, caused power outages, and forced emergency services to evacuate some tourists by boat. Dense smoke has made roads impassable, reducing visibility in some areas to almost zero, while falling ash and poor air quality have added to the chaos.
The fire broke out Wednesday and has since burned across more than 6km of forest and olive groves. Local officials describe the situation as "very difficult," with flames spreading rapidly and rekindling due to wind gusts reaching 9 on the Beaufort scale. “They cannot contain it,” said civil protection official Nektarios Papadakis. Nearly 230 firefighters are now deployed, aided by helicopters, water trucks, and emergency reinforcements from Athens and Elefsina.
With hospitals on high alert and indoor arenas converted into temporary shelters, the island remains on edge. While no serious injuries have been reported, several people were treated for breathing issues. The wildfire, part of a wider crisis fueled by an intense European heatwave, highlights what experts are calling a growing “wildfire hotspot” in the Mediterranean.
