Fiery nightmare in Rethymno and Paros – New wildfire breaks out in Floka, Achaia, as 112 issues evacuation alert

Firefighters are waging a titanic battle against four major wildfires raging across southern Rethymno on Crete, Paros, Andros, and Kalymnos, while a new blaze broke out in Achaia in the early hours of Friday. Strong winds, exceeding 100 km/h in several areas, continue to hamper firefighting efforts, with the risk of flare-ups remaining extremely high.

During an emergency briefing on Thursday evening, Vasilis Vathrakogiannis, Director of Strategic Planning and Communications at the Hellenic Fire Service Headquarters, said that gale-force winds and dense smoke created conditions of near-zero visibility and severe turbulence, making aerial firefighting operations extremely difficult – and in some cases impossible – particularly over Paros and Crete.

New wildfire in Achaia – Emergency evacuation alert issued

At around 5:00 a.m., an emergency 112 alert was sent to residents of Floka, in the Municipality of Western Achaia, instructing them to evacuate immediately toward the community of Arla due to a wildfire burning through forestland.

A strong firefighting force has been deployed to the area, including 50 firefighters, three specialized ground crews, and 14 fire engines, assisted by municipal water tankers.

Meanwhile, another wildfire is burning in a forested area near Archontochori, in the Municipality of Xiromero, in the regional unit of Aetolia-Acarnania.

The fire is being tackled by 35 firefighters, one ground crew, and 14 fire engines.

Firefighters battle flare-ups in Paros

On Paros, where the wildfire has been burning since Tuesday, firefighters spent the entire afternoon and evening battling persistent flare-ups within the fire perimeter. Operations have focused primarily on the area between Kamari, Angairia, and Aspro Chorio.

Constant shifts in wind direction have significantly complicated efforts to contain the active fire fronts. A total of 45 firefighters, supported by two ground crews and 10 fire engines, remain on the scene, assisted by volunteers and the Municipality of Paros, which has deployed water tankers and heavy machinery.

Police and Coast Guard personnel are also deployed in the area to protect residents and visitors, while police officers safely evacuated monks from the Monastery of Agioi Theodoroi. Earlier in the day, a series of 112 emergency alerts ordered precautionary evacuations from Kamari, Angairia, and Aspro Chorio.

Firefighting operation continues in Preveli

The situation also remains difficult in southern Rethymno, where firefighters continue to battle the blaze in the wider Preveli area despite the fire showing signs of improvement late Thursday night.

According to Rethymno Deputy Regional Governor Mary Lioni, the night remained critical as strong winds continue to fuel the risk of new flare-ups. She said additional firefighting personnel from Athens are expected to arrive on Friday to reinforce operations and relieve exhausted crews that have been battling the flames continuously since the fire broke out.

Lioni stressed that the historic Preveli Monastery was never under direct threat. However, the flames reached the famous Preveli palm forest, damaging several palm trees, though widespread destruction was avoided.

Earlier, a large-scale rescue operation was successfully carried out at Preveli Beach, where 59 people were evacuated safely to the port of Agia Galini by a Hellenic Coast Guard vessel with the assistance of two private boats. The operation took place under extremely difficult conditions, with winds reaching Force 8 on the Beaufort scale.

The firefighting operation involves 72 firefighters, four specialized EMODE ground teams, units from the 3rd Special Disaster Response Unit (EMAK), and 13 fire engines. Three helicopters also supported operations during daylight hours. Throughout the day, successive 112 alerts ordered evacuations from Ammoudi, Damnoni, Lefkogia, Gefyra, Monastiri, Lake Preveli, and Gianniou.

Overnight alert on Kalymnos

Firefighters also remain on high alert on Kalymnos, where a wildfire burning in the Vathy area continues to concern authorities.

Kalymnos Mayor Giannis Mastrokoukos said there is “no room for complacency,” stressing that the situation requires constant vigilance.

The firefighting force includes 22 firefighters, one ground crew from the 11th EMODE, and six fire engines, with additional support from municipal water tankers. Winds continue to blow at up to Force 6, while an emergency 112 warning was issued earlier to people in the wider area of the fire.

Very high wildfire risk on Friday

Authorities remain on heightened alert throughout Friday, as Greece’s General Secretariat for Civil Protection has forecast a Very High Fire Risk (Category 4) for Attica, Crete, Western Greece, the North Aegean, the Cyclades, Evros, as well as parts of the Peloponnese and Central Greece.

The Hellenic Fire Service has urged the public to avoid any activity that could spark a wildfire, warning that under the prevailing weather conditions even a small ignition can rapidly develop into a major, uncontrollable wildfire.