Greece Wildfires Update: Two Firefighters Killed as Blazes Continue Across Multiple Islands

GREECE — Wildfires continue to burn across several parts of Greece, killing two firefighters and forcing thousands of residents and tourists to evacuate as emergency crews battle multiple active fires during an intense period of extreme fire danger.

The deadliest blaze is in the Rethymno region of Crete, where the fire has scorched approximately 5,220 hectares (12,900 acres). Two firefighters lost their lives while responding to the wildfire.

According to Greek Civil Protection authorities, active wildfires are also burning in Paros, Trikala, Messinia, Boeotia, Gythio, Kalymnos, Andros, Naxos, and Lesvos.

On Crete, approximately 8,000 people have been evacuated as flames threatened communities. Meanwhile, on the island of Paros, wildfires have burned more than 800 hectares (1,980 acres) across southern and southeastern parts of the island, damaging property and forcing several villages to evacuate.

Firefighting operations remain in full force. In the Krya Vrysi and Asomatos areas of Rethymno, authorities have deployed:

• 🚒 296 firefighters

• 🌲 15 forest commando teams

• 🚒 66 firefighting vehicles

• ✈️ Multiple aerial firefighting aircraft and helicopters

The Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS) activated its Rapid Mapping Service (EMSR907) for Crete on July 30, producing satellite maps to help emergency responders assess the fire’s spread and coordinate response efforts.

Looking ahead, the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) warns that high to locally very extreme wildfire danger is expected across many of the affected regions over the next 48 hours, raising concerns that existing fires could intensify and new fires could ignite.

Authorities continue urging residents and visitors to follow evacuation orders and avoid fire-affected areas while firefighting operations continue.