For the third consecutive day, firefighters and volunteers battled to bring under control the wildfire that broke out in Ierapetra, resulting in several people being hospitalized due to respiratory issues. In the early hours of Friday (04.07.2025), firefighting forces managed to contain the blaze, with no active flames currently reported. However, strong winds are still affecting the area, and concerns about new flare-ups remain high.
More than 250 firefighters, 50 fire trucks, and 10 helicopters, supported by volunteers and private tankers from across Crete, have been working under difficult conditions to suppress rekindled fires. According to ERT, there was concern late last night regarding areas around Fermá.
An official damage assessment is not yet available, but early reports indicate over 12,000 acres of land have been burned. The fire has damaged crops, three uninhabited houses, and water supply systems. Many locals and tourists were admitted to hospitals suffering from smoke inhalation.
Residents have not yet returned to their homes, and several hotels that were evacuated remain closed. Due to the devastating impact of the fire, parts of the Ierapetra municipality have been declared in a state of emergency.
The decision by the General Secretary of Civil Protection placed the Municipal Unit of Makry Gialos and the Municipal Communities of Ierapetra and Agios Ioannis under emergency civil protection status. This measure, valid until October 2nd, aims to address urgent needs and manage the consequences of the wildfires.
A specialized arson investigation team arrived in Crete yesterday to collect testimonies from firefighters as part of efforts to determine the cause of the fire.