Crete faces severe wildfire risk and multiple active fires in July 2026

The civil protection mechanism in Greece was placed on heightened alert for a very high (category 4) wildfire risk across Crete’s regional units of Heraklion, Lasithi and Rethymno and the North Aegean islands of Chios, Samos and Ikaria on 6‑7 July 2026. Authorities imposed an orange alert and banned open‑flame activities, outdoor grilling, use of equipment that can spark, and vehicle access to forested and protected areas.

Multiple fires broke out. In Ierapetra (Lasithi) a blaze near the hamlet of Mbramianá erupted on 6 July; 49 firefighters, two ground teams, 13 vehicles and two helicopters were deployed, and a 112 message ordered residents to evacuate toward Ierapetra. A second fire in the Gazis area of Heraklion involved 30 firefighters, one helicopter and nine vehicles. Further hotspots were reported near Afriti (Vianos) with 18 firefighters and near Malevizi with 30 firefighters, all supported by water‑dropping aircraft and local municipal water supplies.

Strong northerly winds of up to 7‑8 bophors and temperatures approaching 40 °C intensified the danger. The public was urged to remain vigilant, avoid any activity that could start a fire, and report any smoke immediately to the fire service (199).