A massive wildfire continues to rage uncontrollably on three fronts in Ierapetra, Crete, with firefighters battling tirelessly through the night in the areas of Achlia, Ferma, and Schinokapsala.
On Wednesday night, an urgent 112 message prompted the evacuation of the settlements of Agia Fotia, Achlia, Galini, Ferma, and Koutsounari. The thick smoke from the inferno has spread, even obscuring the sea near Makrys Gialos, where numerous beachgoers had to be evacuated by boats and yachts.
The fire has already caused significant destruction in Agia Fotia and Ferma, engulfing homes, tourist accommodations, and greenhouses. A full assessment of the damage is to be expected.
Wildfire forces tourists to evacuate hotels in Ierapetra, Crete
Late Wednesday, authorities in the Ferma area ordered a mass evacuation of hotels, rental rooms, and residences as flames dangerously approached these facilities, according to sitiaonline.
“During the evening, due to the absence of aerial support, we focused on saving what we could from the houses. Hotels were evacuated, and their occupants were transferred to the Ierapetra indoor gym,” stated Deputy Governor of Lasithi Yannis Androulakis on Thursday morning. He emphasized the extreme conditions, whereby wind gusts reached 11 Beaufort, contributing to the fire’s rapid spread across three fronts.
Regional Civil Protection Coordinator of Crete Manolis Paravolidakis reported that several individuals have been hospitalized with respiratory problems due to the smoke. Emergency Medical Services are on high alert in the Lasithi prefecture, with eight ambulances operating. So far, they have transported three citizens with respiratory issues, two with minor injuries, and one with mobility problems to Ierapetra General Hospital.
Challenging conditions for firefighters
Giorgos Tsapakos, the deputy regional director of Civil Protection for Crete, highlighted the immense difficulty in containing the fire due to the intensity and erratic changes in wind direction. Firefighters and rescuers have described the winds, which reached 9 Beaufort on the north side, as unprecedented.
“It is constantly swirling, constantly changing direction, and unfortunately, the fire is shifting. It is tragic!” a firefighter remarked. There are growing fears that despite the superhuman efforts, the fire might only be stopped by reaching the sea, with a significant risk of entrapment for those battling the blaze.
Firefighting forces were significantly reinforced on Wednesday night, with a total of 155 firefighters, eight groups of hikers, and thirty-eight vehicles now on site. They are also receiving assistance from construction machinery and water tankers provided by local governments.
Further reinforcements are en route: seventeen firefighters with a group of hikers and five vehicles are traveling by boat from Piraeus, while thirty-three firefighters with four groups of hikers from Elefsina have arrived by air.
The fire, which quickly escalated, originated in an agricultural forest area in Achlia, Ierapetra. The initial 112 evacuation message at 20:28 specifically advised that residents in “Agia Fotia Achlia, Galini, Ferma & Koutsounari, move away towards Ierapetra.”
Related: Chios Wildfire Nears Extinction After Burning 2,500 Hectares
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