Vigilance reached the second highest level after forest fires in Greece

The largest fire occurred in the mountainous region of Lasithi, east of the island of Crete. The fire broke out in a wooded area near Mavros Kolympos. Several sites had to be evacuated. Local media reported that the fire destroyed some homes. Three people were slightly injured.

The area is difficult to reach. More than 100 firefighters and several firefighting helicopters were deployed to fight the blaze. Strong winds caused the fire to spread to the sea. Drought also makes firefighting difficult. The fire is still burning in Lasithi, but according to the fire brigade, “there is no active front” today. Fires elsewhere are under control.

However, the danger is not over yet. Strong winds of up to 60 kilometers per hour are expected in the northern Aegean Sea, Attica (Athens metropolitan area), Cyclades, Crete and central Greece until Tuesday. “This makes the situation for fires very dangerous,” the ministry said. For these areas, “all civil protection will be placed at level four (high fire danger), firefighters will be on alert and members of the armed forces will patrol.”