Greece faces 29 wildfires on Wednesday; Rethymno blaze persists
A total of 29 wildfires broke out across agroforested zones in Greece on Wednesday, according to the Fire Service. Twenty-four of these fires were quickly extinguished, but firefighters are still battling five active blazes.
The fire in Rethymno, Crete, which started around noon, has spread to three fronts. An emergency alert has been issued for residents in Apodoulou to remain on standby. Earlier, an evacuation alert was sent to the small village of Agia Paraskevi, and another notice urged residents and visitors in Chordaki and Agios Ioannis to stay vigilant. Police are conducting door-to-door checks in Agia Paraskevi to ensure that residents, especially the elderly, have evacuated.
“The fire has reached some residential yards. The blaze is extensive, burning through fields and olive groves,” local authorities reported.
Current firefighting efforts include 190 firefighters, 45 vehicles, five water-dropping helicopters, and two aircraft. According to the Fire Service, the blaze is proving difficult to control as it has spread into ravines.
