Greek authorities activate Copernicus mapping for Rethymno wildfire

A wildfire broke out on 29 July 2026 in the municipality of Agios Vasileios, Rethymno, Crete. The General Secretariat of Civil Protection’s Emergency Management Planning Directorate, following the order of Deputy Civil Protection Head Nikos Pap­aevstathios, activated the European Union’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service – Mapping (code EMSR907).

The EU approved the request and will provide satellite‑derived maps and data for the affected areas free of charge to all responding agencies, aiming to support firefighting operations and post‑fire management.

The mapping products are expected to be released promptly to assist local authorities in assessing damage and coordinating response efforts.