Greece Battles Large Wildfires on Evia, Crete, Forces Thousands Evacuations

Wildfires in Greece have severely impacted the islands of Evia and Crete amid an early summer heatwave and gale-force winds. On Evia, more than 160 firefighters with extensive equipment battled fires that forced the evacuation of multiple villages including Tsakeoi and Limnionas, threatening homes and agricultural lands. Meanwhile, Crete faced its third day of intense firefighting efforts, with around 130 firefighters and several helicopters working to contain fires that destroyed forests, olive groves, and farmhouses, displacing thousands of residents and tourists. The fires have disrupted peak summer tourism, a critical economic sector for both islands, with many evacuees beginning to return as conditions improve. Authorities linked the wildfires and heatwave to at least eight deaths in Europe this week, highlighting the increasing destructiveness of such blazes due to climate change. Greece and other Mediterranean countries are recognized as wildfire hotspots, prompting calls for new strategies to address the escalating risks.