Numerous scattered blazes continue to burn in Ierapetra wildfire

Firefighting forces are on Thursday still battling many scattered blazes in Ierapetra, Crete where a major wildfire broke out on Wedesday afternoon, according to an emergency briefing by the Fire Service spokesperson, Fire Colonel Vassilis Vathrakogiannis.
Firefighting forces in the area are strong and have been reinforced from Attica, he noted, but conditions are difficult. Wind gusts in the area can reach up to 9 Beaufort, continuously igniting new flames and hotspots, hampering the firefighting effort. Vathrakogiannis reported that 230 firefighters are operating in the area, with 13 ground teams, 46 vehicles, and a drone unit. For the firefight the air, 10 helicopters have been deployed, one of which is coordinating the effort. Water tankers and heavy machinery from the Region of Crete and the Hellenic National Defence General Staff are also assisting in the effort. Additionally, Hellenic Police (ELAS) and the ambulance service (EKAV) forces have been deployed in the fire zone, along with mobilised Coast Guard units.
Vathrakogiannis emphasised that firefighting operations in Ierapetra are being coordinated by the Deputy Chief of the Fire Service. He added that an assessment of potential damage to infrastructure and homes will take place once firefighting efforts are complete.
At the same time, he said, the forest fire that broke out at midday on Wednesday in Vourvourou, Halkidiki, no longer has an active front, with firefighters conducting water saturation across its entire perimeter. A force of 160 firefighters with 7 forest commando teams, 49 vehicles, a drone unit, and volunteers were used in this operation. Water tankers and heavy machinery from the Region of Central Macedonia are also assisting. Coordination is being handled by the Mobile Operations Center "Olympus".

By order of the Fire Service Chief, Lieutenant General Theodoros Vagias, Arson Crime Investigation units have been deployed to both Halkidiki and Ierapetra to investigate the causes of the fires, Mr. Vathrakogiannis noted.

“ We are now in the third and most difficult month of the fire season. July has historically been the hottest month, often accompanied by strong winds. These conditions favor the spread of wildfires and increase their danger. We remind everyone that maintaining clean plots and open spaces on our properties significantly reduces the risk of fire,” he concluded.

About 5,000 tourists moved as a precaution

Roughly 5,000 tourists holiday in the municipality of Ierapetra have been moved due to the fire raging in the area since Wednesday afternoon, following the issue of a warning to evacuate, the president of the Southeastern Crete Hoteliers Association Giorgos Tzarakis said on Thursday.
He said that none of the hotels bar one had sustained any damage, and that limited.
"Our concern is with bookings in the coming days, as the situation in the region continues to be difficult, not only because of the fire that is still burning but also because of the burnt areas, which create a difficult situation," he added.
 

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