A severe wildfire is sweeping across Crete, Greece’s largest island, forcing over 1,500 people to evacuate due to intense flames and extreme weather conditions. The fire broke out on Wednesday near the town of Ierapetra, fueled by temperatures 3-5 degrees Celsius above average and gusty winds of up to 50 miles per hour.
Firefighters from Greece and other countries are struggling to contain the blaze, which has spread rapidly to homes, hotels, and tourist accommodations. The fire department’s spokesperson warned that conditions are creating “new outbreaks,” making it difficult for firefighters to combat the flames.
The Ierapetra municipality has set up a makeshift camp for evacuated residents and tourists at an indoor training center, where hundreds have spent the night. Authorities have also deployed police, medical services, and coast guard units to the area.
As Europe grapples with its worst heat wave in years, wildfires are becoming increasingly common due to climate change. The continent has seen devastating blazes in recent days, including in Turkey, France, and Spain, where multiple fatalities have occurred.
The fire season is entering its third and most difficult month, according to the Greek fire department, with temperatures expected to remain high throughout July, a typical hot month for Greece.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/03/climate/greece-crete-wildfire