Hundreds of firefighters battle wildfire on Greek island of Crete – Greece is now well within peak summer season, with tourists from all over flocking to the country’s islands to enjoy its glorious sandy beaches and guaranteed sun. However, Greece’s earliest-ever heatwave in June marked the start of another summer of extremely high temperatures and wildfires.
Hundreds of firefighters battle wildfire on Greek island of Crete:
More than 200 firefighters on the southern Greek island of Crete strove late Wednesday to contain a large wildfire that forced authorities to evacuate one village and prepare others for evacuation.
The fire service said 222 firefighters were battling the flames in the Rethymno district of western Crete, including 32 flown in from other parts of Greece.
There were no immediate reports of damage to homes or injuries, but the small village of Aghia Paraskevi was evacuated as a precaution. Residents of three neighboring villages were also warned to be ready to leave their homes if necessary.
The fire raged through scrub and olive groves, driven on by high winds.
More than 2,000 wildfires have erupted all over Greece this summer, which authorities have warned carries the highest fire risk in the past two decades. That’s because a mild, dry winter followed by a dry, hot spring has left vegetation across the country tinder-dry, enabling flames to spread fast.
Nevertheless, an investment in more firefighting assets, including water-dropping aircraft and early warning drones, coupled with intense efforts by firefighters, has led to most blazes being extinguished within hours.
Dozens of people have been arrested or fined for accidentally starting fires, while in a small number of cases arson charges have been brought.
Like other Mediterranean countries, Greece suffers from devastating wildfires every summer. Authorities say the problem has been exacerbated by unseasonally high temperatures due to climate change.
Where are the wildfires in Greece?
After the country’s earliest-ever heatwave in June and several days of extreme heat in July, more fire outbreaks have occurred in Greece.
The current fire which is blazing in the Rethymno area of Crete is thought to have destroyed more than 2,000 acres of land so far, after starting at around midday on Wednesday August 7.
It has since spread in three directions, and authorities have issued emergency alerts for residents in Apodoulou to remain on standby. What’s more, an evacuation alert was sent to the village of Agia Paraskevi, and similar warnings were given to residents and visitors in Chordaki and Agios Ioa.
Though Greece has amped up it’s wildlife prep for this summer season after the extreme conditions experienced last year, this fire is proving more difficult to control as it has spread into nearby ravines. According to Ekathimerini.com, 190 firefighters, 45 vehicles, five water-dropping helicopters, and two aircraft are part of the current effort.
Is it safe to travel?
News of wildfires is of course a concern if you have a trip booked to Greece, but there is currently no official advice against travelling to the country. Instead, you should follow local advice on how to stay safe in the heat, check if there is a risk of wildfires in the area you’re staying, and stay updated on any evacuation calls.
The good news is that Greece has amped up its prep for the summer ahead. More staff have been hired and trained, and the use of drones and early warning systems have proved useful in tracking potential wildfires so far.
What started the fires in Greece?
The prolonged drought and dry weather that Greece has experienced has led to what Sky News previously described as ‘tinderbox-like’ conditions. The conditions in July were caused by a ‘hot air balloon’ moving in from Africa, and now Paired with unusually strong winds, conditions have been prime for the outbreak of wildfires.
