Crete and Rafina Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations Across Greece

Greek firefighters are battling large wildfires on multiple fronts, with the most critical blazes on the island of Crete and in the coastal municipality of Rafina east of Athens. Civil Protection authorities describe the situation as one of the toughest of the season, citing gale-force winds and exceptionally dry vegetation.

On Crete’s southern coast, a fire that began in the Ierapetra area late Wednesday forced the precautionary evacuation of about 5,000 tourists and residents from Agia Fotia, Ferma, Galini, Achlia and Koutsounari. Roughly 230 firefighters, 13 ground teams, 46 engines and 10 helicopters are tackling scattered hotspots whipped by gusts reaching nine Beaufort. Local officials report damage to homes, hotels, greenhouses and farmland, while three people were treated for respiratory problems.

Near Athens, a separate blaze ignited early Thursday afternoon along Marathonos Avenue in Rafina and quickly spread toward Pikermi and Spata. Authorities issued 112 emergency alerts ordering four settlements to clear out; police later confirmed more than 1,200 people evacuated and 51 rescues. At least five to six houses and several vehicles burned. Smoke drifted as far as Athens International Airport, prompting a temporary rerouting of one runway, and the port of Rafina was closed with ferry traffic diverted to Lavrio. Roughly 170 firefighters, 48 engines, 17 fixed-wing aircraft and seven helicopters remained deployed as night fell. Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Giannis Kefalogiannis convened an inter-ministerial meeting to coordinate the response and ordered an arson-investigation unit to the scene.

Smaller fires were reported in Archangelos, Laconia, and in Halkidiki, while the Fire Service counted 40 rural and forest blazes nationwide in the past 24 hours. The National Observatory forecasts easing winds overnight, but officials warn that the high risk of flare-ups will persist through the weekend.