Raging Wildfires Force Thousands to Flee in Crete as Europe Boils Under Heatwave
Right now, the Greek island of Crete is in crisis. A massive wildfire has erupted near Ierapetra on the southeastern coast, pushing thousands of residents and tourists to evacuate their homes and hotels. Fueled by extreme heat and powerful winds—gusting up to level 9 on the Beaufort scale—the blaze, which started near the village of Achlia, has quickly spiraled out of control. Firefighters are struggling against nature’s fury, and the fire has now split into three active fronts: Achlia, Ferma, and Skinokapsala.
The evacuation is one of the largest the region has seen in recent years. Around 5,000 people, most of them holidaymakers, were evacuated from hotels and guesthouses in Ferma and nearby coastal towns. The firefighting efforts have been immense—more than 230 firefighters, supported by 46 fire engines, 13 foot teams, and 10 helicopters, are battling around the clock. A drone surveillance unit is also in operation to monitor flare-ups, but containment is proving difficult due to the mountainous terrain and strong winds.
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Local authorities have set up emergency shelters, with at least 200 evacuees being housed in a sports hall in Ierapetra. Entire villages have lost power, and homes, greenhouses, villas, and hotels have been damaged or destroyed. In Agia Fotia, properties are in ruins and ash is falling from the sky. Emergency alerts from the 112 warning system have urged people to evacuate areas like Achlia, Galini, and Koutsounari. Some people had to be rescued by boat after being cut off by road.
Sadly, there have been injuries too. At least four elderly residents were hospitalized with respiratory issues caused by smoke inhalation. The local hospitals are on high alert, and the air quality in the region has become dangerously poor.
This disaster isn’t isolated. Across Europe, the situation is worsening. Crete’s wildfire is part of a broader climate crisis gripping the continent. Turkey, Germany, and several parts of southern Europe are also battling extreme fires. In Turkey, tens of thousands have fled their homes. In Germany, firefighters are battling blazes on former military land, hampered by unexploded munitions. Meanwhile, southern Europe bakes under record heat—with fatalities already reported in Italy, Spain, and France. In some regions, temperatures are hitting well over 40°C.
This is the reality of climate change. These wildfires, once seasonal and rare, are becoming annual events. With July just beginning, Crete and much of southern Europe may face even more destruction. It’s heartbreaking, it’s alarming, and it’s a wake-up call. We’re not watching a distant threat—we’re living it now.
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