Wildfire continues to rage in Rethymno as overnight evacuations ordered

A major wildfire that broke out on Wednesday afternoon near Krya Vrysi in the municipality of Agios Vasileios, in southern Rethymno, remained out of control overnight, with firefighters continuing to battle multiple active fronts.

Fire crews spent the night trying to contain the blaze, which has burned farmland, agricultural fields, livestock facilities, homes and grazing land.

According to Greece’s Fire Service Coordination Centre, more than 160 firefighters, supported by 45 fire engines from across Crete, 10 special forest firefighting teams from the 3rd and 19th EMODE units, and additional ground crews, are operating across the affected areas.

The operation is also being supported by water tankers and heavy machinery from Civil Protection authorities, regional and local governments, as well as volunteers and residents from the affected communities.

Overnight evacuation orders

Emergency alerts issued through Greece’s 112 warning system continued throughout the night.

At 11:46 p.m., residents in the wider Ligres area were instructed to evacuate towards Agalianos and Kerames. Just minutes earlier, at 11:35 p.m., another alert ordered people in the Agia Paraskevi area to leave for the same locations.

 

Additional reinforcements were expected to arrive early Thursday, with 18 more firefighters, a forest firefighting unit from the 6th EMODE, and six fire engines traveling by ferry from Piraeus to the port of Souda in Chania.

Authorities described the damage as extensive and said efforts remain focused on protecting homes and property.

For the wildfire affecting the wider areas of Krya Vrysi, Orne and Agia Galini, seven ambulances from Greece’s National Emergency Aid Centre (EKAB) remain on standby. Police and Coast Guard units have also been deployed.

Satellite imagery tracks smoke plume

Scientists reported that satellite imagery from Meteosat-12, processed by the research team at the National Observatory of Athens / meteo.gr, showed the smoke plume traveling south under the influence of prevailing winds, covering an estimated distance of around 100 kilometres.

Meanwhile, officials said conditions had improved considerably in Sitia, where another large wildfire has been contained on a remote mountain ridge. The blaze is no longer threatening populated areas, and authorities believe aerial firefighting operations will help bring it under control.

 

Three firefighters die during wildfire operations

The wildfire emergency has also claimed the lives of three firefighters.

In southern Rethymno, a 25-year-old seasonal firefighter and a 58-year-old firefighter became trapped in their vehicle after losing their bearings in dense smoke. Two volunteers were also slightly injured during the operation.

The funeral for the 25-year-old firefighter is scheduled for Thursday at noon at the Church of Agios Nektarios in the Fourfouras area, while the funeral service for the 58-year-old will take place at 5:00 p.m. at the Church of the Annunciation in Gerakari.

In a separate incident near Ageranos, close to Gytheio in the Peloponnese, a 27-year-old firefighter was found unconscious outside the wildfire perimeter. He was transported to Sparta General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities said his death is believed to have resulted from natural causes.

Lesbos wildfire shows signs of improvement

Firefighters and volunteers also fought throughout the night to contain a wildfire near Plomari on the island of Lesbos.

Supported by helicopters that began water drops at first light, crews managed to prevent the fire from spreading into previously unaffected areas and worked to extinguish persistent flare-ups in olive groves before stronger winds were forecast later in the day.

Very high wildfire risk across Greece

A very high wildfire risk (Category 4) has been forecast for Thursday, July 30, for Attica, Crete, the Cyclades, the islands of the North Aegean, and parts of the Peloponnese and Central Greece, according to the General Secretariat for Civil Protection.

Authorities have placed all relevant services on heightened alert and urged the public to avoid any activities in the countryside that could accidentally ignite a fire.

Residents are also reminded that burning agricultural fields is prohibited during the wildfire season and are urged to immediately report any fire by calling the Fire Service on 199.