On May 5, 2025, the city of Heraklion hosted a lineup that could rival an election year. Crete’s big names were all present. Giannis Kefalogiannis, Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, presided over a roundtable that included enough uniforms and titles to fill a football stadium:
- Attendees: Secretary-General Nikos Papaefstathiou, Chief of Fire Service Lt. General Theodoros Vagias, Regional Governor Stavros Arnaoutakis;
- Parliament members, vice governors, mayors, deputy mayors, etc.;
- Military, police, Coast Guard, EMTs, utility companies, and forestry officials;
- Volunteer groups and specialized emergency units.
The Minister threw out statistics that sounded more like a horror story than a travel brochure. “In 2024, Crete recorded 330 rural and forest fire outbreaks, with a total of 16,173 stremmata burned,” Giannis Kefalogiannis reported. Now, if those numbers mean nothing to you, imagine half the fires starting in just three areas—Choridaki in Amari, Minoa Pediada, and Agios Vasileios. Between them, they ate up more than half the burned land.
Did Someone Say Drones? Welcome to the 21st Century of Greek Firefighting
The plan for the 2025 fire season in Crete features some technological flair and an old-fashioned workforce, neatly documented for anyone who mistrusts easy fixes.
- 1,123 firefighters ready for deployment across the island
- Includes 630 permanent, 137 five-year personnel, and 216 seasonal contracts—a boost of 38 from last year
- 341 volunteer firefighters, with hopes of 250 more in civil protection teams
- Forestry units beefed up thanks to the new 19th Forest Operations Unit (EMODE) in Chania, plus support from Heraklion’s third unit, bringing the grand total to 132 forest firefighters.
The island finally gets four drones, one per regional unit, equipped for 24-hour surveillance. Each will beam live footage to the operations center because nothing says “serious business” like eyes in the sky. “For the first time this year, Crete will have four drones, one per regional unit, each capable of round-the-clock surveillance and immediate transmission of images to the EKSEDIK and PEKE Crete,” said Kefalogiannis. As for air support, Chania and Heraklion will have helicopters on standby, ranging from the classic Bell to the heavy-duty Kamov.
Logistics weren’t left out of the love. Always keen for a new mission, the military has stepped up its response times. “The upgraded Construction and Disaster Response Command has cut reaction times significantly,” the Minister said with conviction from someone who has seen a response plan outside a PowerPoint.
Creating firebreaks isn’t just for lumberjacks anymore. Over €3.3 million went into programs like “AntiNero 1-4” so tourists can stroll in pine-scented air without panic. Credit for first aid and evacuations went directly to the Hellenic Police, Coast Guard, and National Emergency Center. According to the Minister, “The joint aim for this year’s fire season in Crete sums up in three phrases: fewer fire outbreaks, faster containment, and a holistic approach to major blazes. We can only achieve this with strong prevention and constant readiness.”
When Fire Season in Crete Meets Greek Reality: Forever on the Edge of the Hot Seat
Fire season in Crete now comes with a full script, a cross-sector cast, and enough acronyms to make a bureaucrat blush. Human lives and natural beauty supposedly hang in the balance—at least, that’s what the officials want to believe (and say). “The climate crisis leaves no room for ‘good scenarios’,” Kefalogiannis reminded the audience. “What unites us all is a common goal and responsibility: to protect human lives, property, infrastructure, and the natural environment we live and breathe in.”
- Big promises for tighter planning and better response coordination;
- Significant investment in drones, helicopters, and new firefighting units;
- Financial outlay for forest cleaning and firebreaks aiming to keep; the forests less flammable and more inviting;
- Volunteer force growing, local authorities more tightly bound to action;
- Emergency agencies ready to lend a hand—or forty—when needed.
Find the official briefing in Greek here.
