A fast‑moving wildfire in Crete continues to burn out of control after erupting in the Rethymno region on Wednesday, tearing through homes, farmland and entire stretches of countryside. Authorities say the blaze has become one of the island’s largest active fires, spreading rapidly under extreme wind conditions.
Rethymno’s deputy regional governor Maria Lioni said there is still no clear assessment of the destruction, stressing that containment remains the top priority. She described Wednesday as a “dark day” for the region, noting that overnight gusts reached force 11 on the Beaufort scale a level classified as “violent” which fanned the flames and severely hindered firefighting efforts.
Evacuations have swept across multiple villages, with some residents and tourists moved into temporary shelters for safety. Among them was British visitor Peter Wood, who told Reuters the experience was terrifying. “We could see the flames in the hills above the village, and the police and firefighters were just telling everyone to leave straight away,” he said.
The fire raging in Crete, broke out in the Rethymno region on Wednesday and has since spread rapidly, destroying homes and agricultural land. It remains one of the biggest fires currently active on the island and is still burning out of control.
There was no clear picture of the destruction so far, Rethymno’s deputy regional governor Maria Lioni said, adding that containing the fire was the main priority.
Lioni described Wednesday as a “dark day” for the region and said gusts overnight reached up to 11 on the Beaufort scale – a wind force categorised as “violent” – fanning the flames and hampering containment efforts.
Some of those evacuated in Rethymno were moved into a temporary shelter.
“It was frightening,” British tourist Peter Wood told news agency Reuters the shelter. “We could see the flames in the hills above the village, and the police and firefighters were just telling everyone to leave straight away.”
As crews battle the blaze amid punishing winds and scorching summer temperatures, local officials warn that the situation remains volatile. For now, the focus is on protecting lives and hoping the weather offers a break.
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