On Wednesday, wildfires on the Greek island of Crete sparked mass evacuations as intense footage online depicted thick clouds of smoke, rippling flames, and the night sky cast with a bright orange glow.
The fire, which is believed to have started between Agia Fotia and the village of Skinokapsala, was empowered through the combination of gale-force winds, highly flammable dry forests, and the ongoing heatwave as it spread throughout the island. According to emergency services on the ground, and as reported by the BBC, the fire front now extends 6km to threaten ” critical infrastructure”, homes, tourist destinations, and a fuel station.
So far, around 1,500 people have been evacuated from the area as 230 firefighters, eight specialised foot teams, and 38 fire engines attempt to tackle the blaze. Four helicopters also carried out water drops into the evening, with local governments deploying water tankers and heavy machinery to assist.
“It’s a very difficult situation. The fire is very hard to contain. Right now, they cannot contain it,” Nektarios Papadakis, a civil protection official at the regional authority, told AP. “The tourists who were moved out are all okay. They have been taken to an indoor basketball arena and hotels in other regions of the island.”
Fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis also told Reuters: “There are wind gusts in the area, some measuring nine on the Beaufort scale, which are triggering rekindling and hindering firefighting efforts.”
Large parts of Greece are now under threat from similar wildfires as authorities in Crete attempt to wrangle the ongoing blaze. Below is an array of shocking footage from the area, most of which shows the untold devastation the fires have wrought.
Reports say visibility was reduced to zero because of the Crete wildfires
Terrible forest fire in Ierapetra, on the southeast coast of Crete, Greece
(02.07.2025) pic.twitter.com/KvXSbWqduu
— Disaster News (@Top_Disaster) July 2, 2025
Like something from an apocalypse movie
Terrible forest fire rages in Ierapetra, Crete, Greece
Evacuations ordered in 5 settlements, 36 firefighters & 2 helicopters battling blaze amid strong winds! #CreteWildfires #Ierapetra #ForestFire pic.twitter.com/G0BjZtvrkK
— Facts Prime (@factsprime35) July 2, 2025
This clip shows just how fierce the winds are
@lunaa_maarie Crete right now…
#crete #cretegreece #kreta #kretagriechenland #windy #windig #waldbrand #jet2holidays #jet2
Five settlements were immediately evacuated
145 firefighters, 8 on-foot units and 25 vehicles are working to extinguish the fire. Messages were issued from 112 calling on the residents… pic.twitter.com/A5sxTVX5m0
— Volcaholic
(@volcaholic1) July 2, 2025
Residents were issued a warning on their phones
Just my luck to come to Crete and get an emergency warning for wild fires. Doesn’t help I can see the fucking smoke next to my resort
— Matt C (@Matt_G_C_) July 2, 2025
The fire was rolling over the hills
BREAKING: A massive evacuation is underway in Ferma, Ierapetra, on the Greek island of Crete, as an out-of-control wildfire nears hotels, rental rooms, and homes. Authorities have ordered the area cleared for safety.pic.twitter.com/Jg0VO78WKM
— Volcaholic
Intense does not begin to describe the area
Firefighters in #Greece fought to contain a massive #wildfire on the popular tourist island of #Crete, which scorched forested areas, endangered homes, and forced the evacuation of residents and tourists from at least four settlements. pic.twitter.com/7xjFLeLxRn
— DD News (@DDNewslive) July 3, 2025
Firefighters are still battling the flames now
Greek Island of Crete:
A large wildfire broke out early Monday in the Kato Asites area of Heraklion, Crete.
A 112 emergency alert was issued around 6:00am urging residents to remain alert and follow official instructions.
Fifty-five firefighters, 23 vehicles, two… pic.twitter.com/mEWfYzYeSG
— Volcaholic
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