Mass evacuations like flames raging near hiepera, Crete

A major fire in Greece continues to burn out of control in East Crete after erupting on Wednesday afternoon in a rough wooded terrain near the Municipality of Hiepera.

Increassed by winds of power, reaching eight on the Beaufort scale, the flames quickly spread south, threatening homes, tourist accommodation and critical infrastructure, including a fuel station.

The fire front now extends to at least 6 km, according to emergency services, which makes it increasingly difficult.

The thick smoke swallowed the wider area, reducing visibility to almost zero in places.

The smoke extended to Makri Giallos Beach, 10 km from Ahlia in Lasiti, where firefighters fought with the flame.

The main road near the settlement of AGIA Fotia is closed by police, which have called the residents and visitors to avoid all insignificant trips due to dangerous air quality, extreme heat and falling ash.

In the settlement of AGIA Fotia, homes and properties for rent have been destroyed and the area is experiencing a break in power supply, according to local reports. At least four elderly people were taken to hospital with respiratory problems caused by smoke inhalation.

As a precautionary measure, all hospitals in Crete have been struck by health authorities.

Authorities have also ordered the mass evacuation of hotels, rental premises and homes in Farm Municipality when the flames approach the area. The operation is conducted with the support of the fire service, the police and the local volunteers.

So far, approximately 1500 people have been evacuated from the surrounding settlements and tourist regions and move to hiepera. About 200 evacuates were sheltered at the indoor sports arena of the city.

The fire department’s response is significantly increased. By Wednesday night, 155 firefighters, eight specialized leg teams and 38 fire machines work on the ground. Four helicopters made drops of water until night. Local municipalities also deployed water tankers and heavy machines.

Additional forces are on the way. Seventeen firefighters and one leg team of 1 emoda (special forest fire) travel by ferry from Piraeus, along with five fire machines, while 33 firefighters and four additional EMODE teams have to arrive from Air from Elefsina.

According to the public television operator ERT, the Fire Service has ordered a tactical withdrawal from the fire front to protect the staff and give priority to the creation of fiery noises around risk settlements. Crews are expected to stay on the ground all night.

Emergency signals through the 112 public warning system were issued throughout the day, calling for evacuation by Achlia, Ferma, Agia Fotia, Galini and later koutsounari, instructing residents and tourists to move to Ierepetra.

It is reported that some people who were cut along the road have been evacuated by boat from the local beaches.

The fire, which is thought to have started between Agia Fotia and the village of Skinokapsala, continues to burn through a dense, highly flammable forest, with steep terrain, dry conditions and strong winds, which makes restraint extremely difficult.

Earlier this week, more than 50,000 people were evacuated due to wild fires in the western province of Izmir.

At least six heat -related deaths have been reported in Europe As the continent blows under the early summer heat wave. The last casualties recorded were in Spain and Italy. There were also victims in France.