Severe Wildfire Broke out in Chania on March 13

• A severe fire broke out in Chania at 6:45 AM, spreading rapidly due to strong winds.
• Firefighters, vehicles, and aircraft are battling the flames.
• Residents received a 112 alert early in the morning with safety instructions.
• Challenging weather is making firefighting efforts harder.
• The situation remains critical with significant reinforcements deployed.

In the early hours, a major fire erupted in the Kalamitsi Amygdali area of Chania, engulfing farmland and forest. Gale-force winds turned what could have been a manageable blaze into an uncontrollable firestorm. As the cries of nature burnt louder than a tourist’s mosquito repellent, emergency services rushed to the scene.

Heat and strong gusts combined into a natural furnace, complicating efforts to slow the flames: 10 fire engines, 30 firefighters, a specialised ground crew, and a helicopter leapt into action with coordinated water drops and uphill battles.

By daylight, additional resources had joined the fight. The firefighting units grew to 25 vehicles and countless personnel, with aircraft making repetitive water drops in a gruelling operation. Observers noticed slight improvements but emphasised that any progress could be undone quickly.

The widespread activation of Greece’s 112 emergency system just after sunrise served as an ominous wake-up call for nearby locals. Residents were advised to remain alert, ready to evacuate if conditions worsened. The situation is far from solved, despite extensive efforts.