Massive Wildfires Force 1,500 Evacuations Across Crete, Greece

A massive wildfire driven by gale-force winds has raged across southern Crete, Greece, forcing the evacuation of over 1,500 residents and tourists from homes, hotels, and beaches near Ierapetra. The fires have spread on three fronts—Achlia, Ferma, and Schinokapsala—damaging hillside forests, olive groves, and some homes, while firefighting efforts have been hampered by strong, shifting winds and dry weather conditions amid a regional heatwave. Authorities deployed about 230 firefighters, along with water-dropping aircraft and sea vessels, though some planes and helicopters were grounded overnight. Evacuees were relocated to temporary shelters including an indoor sports hall in Ierapetra, and some were rescued by boat from beaches as the flames approached coastal resorts. Despite the large-scale destruction and breathing problems reported among several individuals, no serious injuries have been confirmed. The fire crisis highlights Crete's vulnerability as a wildfire hotspot during Greece's hot and dry summers, posing ongoing threats to life, property, and the island's crucial tourism industry.