Firefighters in Crete, Greece are combating renewed flare-ups of a wildfire that spread on the island. The fire, which began on Wednesday, was contained temporarily due to reduced wind activity overnight. However, it reignited in the morning, prompting additional villages in remote mountainous areas to be evacuated.
Despite efforts to control the blaze and with the support of reinforcements from the mainland, the flames continued to intensify. Over 200 firefighters, along with a specialized 30-member firefighting team, are being assisted by two water-dropping planes and two helicopters in the central Rethymno region of Crete. The fire has already passed through olive groves and farmland, causing damage to irrigation systems. Fortunately, there is no immediate danger to the popular coastal holiday resorts.
The fire department confirmed the evacuation of a village near the Agia Paraskevi area in central Crete, in addition to several other villages that were evacuated following precautionary measures issued on Wednesday.