In certain regions in Greece, forest fire vigilance has been increased to level 4, the second highest level. That’s what the Greek government says. Several fires broke out on Saturday.
A total of 71 fires broke out in agricultural and forest areas across the country in 12 hours on Saturday, the Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection said. Most fires broke out in Crete and central Greece. According to the fire brigade, the fires are under control, with the exception of the fire in Lasithi on Crete. Three people were slightly injured, the fire brigade said.
Greek broadcaster ERT reports that a man in Crete was seriously injured while trying to protect his home near the port of Ierapetra. According to weather forecasts, storms will rage over the Aegean Sea until Tuesday, with gusts of 60 kilometers per hour. That makes the situation “extremely dangerous” for forest fires, it said.
Since the beginning of April, Greece has had warmer temperatures than normal for this time of year, with 31 degrees in Crete. In 2023, Greece experienced the most devastating fires in 16 years. About 174,773 hectares went up in flames, according to the European Earth observation program Copernicus.