UPDATE:

Without a unified front but with scattered outbreaks, the battle against the flames in Ierapetra continues, following the fire that broke out on Sunday afternoon.

What concerns the fire department officials is the strong winds in the area, which earlier reached gusts of up to 9 Beaufort, as announced shortly after 9:15 in the morning by the Fire Department spokesperson, Giannis Vathrakogiannis.

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The fire in Ierapetra, Crete, is raging uncontrollably on three fronts with firefighters battling all night on three fronts, namely Achlia, Ferma and Schonokapsala.

After a new 112 message on Wednesday evening, the settlements of Agia Fotia, Achlia, Galini, Ferma and Koutsounari have been evacuated, while the smoke from the fire has also covered the sea near Makri Gialos. Several people who were on the beach were evacuated from the spot by boats and boats.

In Agia Fotia and Fermas the flames escaped and burned houses, shelters and greenhouses, and no overall damage assessment has been made yet.

Late on Wednesday night in the Fermas area of Ierapetra, authorities ordered a mass evacuation of hotels, rooms to let and residences, as flames were dangerously close to the premises, according to sitiaonline.

Earlier, people were removed from beaches with the help of boats.

“In the evening because of the absence of air assets we concentrated on saving what we could from the houses. Hotels were evacuated and their occupants were taken to the indoor gym in Ierapetra. With gusts reaching 11 Beaufort winds, the fire has broken into three fronts,” said Lassithi’s vice-regional governor, Yannis Androulakis, on Thursday morning.

According to the Regional Civil Protection Coordinator of the Region of Crete Manolis Paravolidakis, there are reports of people being taken to hospital with respiratory problems.

The ambulance is on standby

The EKAB is in increased readiness in the prefecture of Lasithi and in full cooperation with the competent authorities. There are 8 ambulances operating, which have so far transported 3 citizens with respiratory problems, 2 citizens with minor injuries and 1 citizen with mobility problems to the General Hospital of Ierapetra.

According to the deputy head of civil protection of the region of Crete George Tsapakos the work of extinguishing is extremely difficult due to the intensity of the winds and the change of direction.

On the northern side the fronts are huge. Winds have reached up to 9 Beaufort with firefighters and rescuers saying they have never seen winds like this before! “It keeps swirling, it keeps changing direction and unfortunately the fire is shifting. It’s tragic!”

However, fears are being expressed that despite this superhuman effort being made, the fire will eventually stop at… sea as the wind and the intensity of the fire is such that there is a huge risk of entrapment!

Firefighting forces were reinforced Wednesday night and a total of 155 firefighters, with eight hiking teams and 38 vehicles, are operating. There was also assistance from project machinery and water trucks of the OTAs.

Also, a total of 17 firefighters with a team of hikers of the 1st EMODE and 5 vehicles are going by ferry from Piraeus, while 33 firefighters with 4 teams of hikers of the 1st EMODE will assist by air from Elefsina.

At 20:28, 112 was sounded for evacuation of settlements. Specifically, the message said that “if you are in the areas of Agia Fotia Achlia, Galini, Ferma & Koutsounari, evacuate towards Ierapetra”.

The fire broke out in an agroforestry area in Achlia of Ierapetra and quickly reached large dimensions.

The picture of the fire in Halkidiki is quite good

Unlike Ierapetra in Crete, the fire in Halkidiki has a much better picture. According to the fire brigade, there is no active front, but scattered foci are still burning in the pine forest of Sithonia, above Vourvourou, where a large fire broke out at noon on Wednesday, mobilizing powerful ground and airborne firefighting forces.

The flames threatened homes and a campsite was evacuated. According to the fire department shortly after midnight the fire had no momentum and was stationary which helped forces contain the front.

Firefighting forces were reinforced Wednesday afternoon and operated with 160 firefighters, with seven hiking teams and 49 vehicles, while 14 aircraft and five helicopters were airborne dropping water until last light. Volunteer firefighters are also assisting in the extinguishing efforts.

The fire front, had reached a length of up to 2 kilometers. The fire broke out near the Livari area and northerly winds were hampering the extinguishing work.

Earlier, 112 had sent a message to residents in Livari: “If you are in the area move away towards Nikiti, follow the instructions of the authorities,” the message read.
If you are in the vicinity of Nikiti, if you are in the vicinity of the camp, follow the instructions,” the message says.

If you are in the vicinity of Nikiti, if you are in the vicinity of the camp, the message says: “If you are in the vicinity of Nikiti, please contact the police.

It is also noted that the fire broke out near the “Rea” campsite located in the area.

Speaking to Voria, the mayor of Sithonia, Yiannis Mallinis, said that “the big fire has been contained enough and there are only scattered outbreaks in the pine forest of Sithonia.”

The fire, which broke out in the area of Livari, in Vourvourou, Halkidiki, has now been brought under control thanks to the immediate intervention of the Fire Service, volunteers, police, the region, the Ministry of Civil Protection and the support of aerial means.

“We all together achieved an unprecedented mass mobilization,” said the mayor of Sithonia, Yiannis Mallinis.

He assures there is no risk to tourist accommodation or residences in the area. Visitors and residents can remain calm as the situation has been normalized.

The road from Ormos Panagias to Vourvourou is open

Late in the evening the provincial road N. Moudania – Sarti, from the height of Ormos Panagias to Vourvourou, was also opened. This section had remained closed since early morning due to the fire.

The arson scenario is being investigated

On the orders of the fire chief, an arson crime response team has gone to the spot to investigate the cause of the major fire.