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Wildfire Rages on Crete as Strong Winds Hamper Firefighting
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Disasters & Emergencies

Wildfire Rages on Crete as Strong Winds Hamper Firefighting

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Firefighters are battling a wildfire on the Greek island of Crete, which has already scorched approximately 4,500 hectares (11,120 acres).
  • Strong winds and rugged terrain are hindering firefighting efforts, with significant damage reported near Agia Galini, where 8,000 people were evacuated.
  • Wildfires are also active on the Peloponnese peninsula and several Aegean islands, prompting a general alert across Greece with a "very high" wildfire risk in many areas.

Firefighters in Greece are engaged in a strenuous battle against a wildfire consuming parts of the popular tourist island of Crete. While authorities reported some improvement in the situation around Rethymno on Friday, the blaze remains uncontained, with numerous hotspots still active. The fire has already devastated an estimated 4,500 hectares (11,120 acres) south of Rethymno, according to satellite analysis.

The situation around Rethymno is better.

— fire department spokespersonProviding an update on the wildfire situation on Crete.

Efforts to combat the flames are severely hampered by strong winds and the island's challenging, rugged terrain. These conditions have made firefighting operations, particularly aerial water drops, extremely difficult. The seaside resort of Agia Galini suffered extensive damage, leading to the evacuation of approximately 8,000 residents and tourists on Wednesday evening. Thrasyvoulos Paterakis, 69, owner of a local cafe, expressed his devastation, telling AFP, "My entire cafe was destroyed. This place supported two families, mine and my son's. We're now out on the street."

The blaze has not yet been contained, there are still many hotspots.

— fire department spokespersonDescribing the ongoing status of the wildfire on Crete.

Beyond Crete, Greece is contending with multiple other fire fronts. A separate wildfire is burning near the port city of Patras on the Peloponnese peninsula, requiring the deployment of aerial resources. Blazes have also been reported on the Aegean islands of Paros, Kalymnos, and Andros, though the situation there is reportedly improving. Fire brigades and civil protection services are on a general alert nationwide.

My entire cafe was destroyed. This place supported two families, mine and my son's. We're now out on the street.

— Thrasyvoulos PaterakisA local cafe owner describing the damage caused by the wildfire.

Authorities have issued a "very high" wildfire risk warning for Friday across many regions, including Athens, Crete, numerous Aegean islands, and parts of the Peloponnese. Forecasts predict winds reaching up to 88 kph (55 mph), which not only complicates firefighting but also disrupts ferry services. Theodore Giannaros, a researcher at the National Observatory of Athens, explained the wind's dangerous effect: "The gusts are literally carrying the fire and spreading it in all directions." He added that strong winds can lift embers, sparking new fires far from the main blaze.

The gusts are literally carrying the fire and spreading it in all directions.

— Theodore GiannarosA senior researcher at the National Observatory of Athens explaining the impact of strong winds on the wildfire.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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