A wildfire that spread across the Chonos area near Rousa Ekklisia in Sitia, eastern Crete, has eased after a difficult night of strong winds and repeated flare-ups, but firefighters continue to battle scattered active areas.
The fire broke out on Sunday afternoon, initially burning mainly grassland. Strong, shifting winds repeatedly changed the fire’s direction and made the overnight operation particularly difficult.
By Monday morning, the situation had improved, with a change in wind direction helping crews contain the spread in several areas. The fire, however, has not yet been fully contained.
135 Firefighters and Two Aircraft
According to the latest information, 135 firefighters, supported by specialist ground crews, are operating with 35 fire engines, while two aerial firefighting aircraft are conducting water drops over remaining hotspots.
Crews carried out a major operation above Adravasτος, where the terrain and changing wind conditions had complicated access and firefighting efforts.
The operation also received support from the Municipality of Sitia, including water tankers, while volunteer teams assisted firefighters on the ground.
Five Settlements Put on Alert
The most serious phase of the fire came overnight as strong wind gusts caused repeated reignitions.
Earlier on Sunday evening, authorities issued a 112 emergency alert to residents of five settlements:
- Kellaria
- Adravastoi
- Klisidi
- Zarkos
- Azokeramos
Residents were instructed to remain alert and follow directions from authorities.
The fire later moved toward the Zarkos area, keeping emergency services on heightened alert through the night.
Earlier in the operation, residents of Karydi were also evacuated as a precaution after the fire approached within several hundred meters of the settlement.
Difficult Terrain and Strong Winds
Firefighters faced two major obstacles throughout the night: difficult terrain and constantly changing winds.
At times, wind gusts pushed the flames in different directions and triggered new flare-ups. The fire’s spread also forced authorities to shift their attention between different areas as conditions changed.
The reduction and change in wind direction overnight ultimately helped firefighters make progress and significantly restrict the main front.
Apollon Fragkidiakis, president of the Union of Fire Service Employees of Crete and vice-president of POEYPΣ, told local radio that the fire was burning primarily grassland, while there were indications that beehives and livestock may also have been affected.
The extent of any damage to animals or property has not yet been established.
A Long Night for Eastern Crete
The fire began Sunday afternoon, prompting a major mobilization of firefighting resources from both Lasithi and Heraklion.
At the height of the operation, dozens of firefighters, specialist ground teams, vehicles and helicopters were deployed. Once darkness stopped aerial operations, ground crews continued working through the night while authorities monitored the changing fire front and kept nearby settlements on alert.
With daylight, aerial firefighting resumed. The immediate picture is more encouraging, but the operation continues because several active hotspots remain.