The Rethymno wildfire remains the most critical of the major fires burning in Greece, with firefighters battling a massive blaze that continues to spread rapidly due to powerful winds. Aerial firefighting operations have been severely restricted, making containment efforts even more difficult.

Key Developments

• Firefighters continue battling major wildfires in Rethymno and Sitia on the island of Crete.
• The wildfire in Plomari, Lesvos, no longer has an active front, although crews are still fighting flare-ups.
• The Rethymno wildfire, which broke out on Wednesday afternoon, is considered the most challenging blaze because of its multiple active fronts and the strong winds driving its rapid spread.
• Three firefighters have died in the ongoing wildfire emergency. Two firefighters, aged 25 and 58, became trapped inside their vehicle and were killed in southern Rethymno, while a 27-year-old firefighter died from a medical emergency while responding to the wildfire near Ageranos, Gytheio.
• Residents and tourists have been evacuated from several villages in the Rethymno area.
• Firefighting forces have been reinforced in Nea Krya Vrysi, Rethymno.

Live Updates

08:23 – No Active Fire Front in Plomari, Lesvos

Authorities report that the main wildfire front in Plomari has been contained. Firefighters are continuing operations to extinguish flare-ups and prevent reignitions.

08:09 – “A Nightmare Night and a Nightmare Day”

Rethymno Deputy Regional Governor Maria Lioni described the situation as “a nightmare night and a nightmare day” in an interview with ERT News.

She said precautionary evacuations of both small and large villages were carried out successfully to protect residents from the rapidly advancing wildfire.

08:08 – Strong Winds Prevent Aerial Firefighting

Crete’s Deputy Regional Governor for Civil Protection, Giorgos Tsapakis, said the wildfire in Rethymno has grown to an enormous scale.

According to Tsapakis, the fire front now exceeds 15 kilometers (9.3 miles), while strong winds have made it impossible for firefighting aircraft and helicopters to operate safely.

He added that similar weather conditions are affecting firefighting efforts in Sitia.

“With winds of this intensity, conditions are extremely difficult,” Tsapakis said, stressing that the severe weather is significantly hampering firefighting operations.

07:55 – Sitia Wildfire Brought Under Control

Officials say the wildfire near Agia Triada, Sitia, has been contained along a remote mountain ridge and is no longer threatening residential areas.

Firefighters expect aerial support to help fully extinguish the blaze once weather conditions improve.

The operation currently involves 25 firefighters, one EMODE special wildfire unit, eight fire engines, municipal water tankers, and heavy machinery from local authorities and private contractors.

07:44 – Aircraft Unable to Fly Over Rethymno

The most serious wildfire remains in southern Rethymno, according to Deputy Regional Governor Giorgos Tsapakis.

Wind gusts are reaching Force 10 to 11 on the Beaufort scale, making it impossible for aerial firefighting aircraft to assist ground crews.

Authorities hope helicopters will be able to begin water drops as soon as conditions improve, helping firefighters gain control of the rapidly expanding blaze.

Residents and Tourists Sheltered After Overnight Evacuations

It was a difficult night for residents and tourists forced to evacuate wildfire-hit areas in southern Crete following Wednesday’s deadly blaze, which claimed the lives of two firefighters in Rethymno.

Most evacuees spent the night at the Faistos Municipal Indoor Sports Hall in Moires, after a 112 emergency alert ordered the evacuation of Agia Galini.

The Municipality of Faistos immediately activated its emergency accommodation plan, with additional school buildings prepared if more shelter is needed.

Mayor Grigoris Nikolidakis told Cretalive that many evacuees were transported by tour operators, while most others were accommodated at the sports hall.

“We welcomed everyone who had to leave their homes. Beds, clean linens, food, and everything else they needed were provided free of charge,” he said.

Police officers and volunteers from the Hellenic Red Cross were deployed from the outset to assist displaced residents and visitors.

The mayor also spoke early Thursday with Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Evangelos Tournas, who said authorities are working to determine where evacuees will stay, when they may be able to return, and how affected foreign tourists will be assisted in the coming days.