The large forest fire in Crete Strong continues to rage as winds have picked up making the efforts to extinguish the flames more difficult.

Thousands of acres of agricultural land are covered in ash, as the flare-ups are continuous, in Orne, Krya Vrysi, Melampes, Agia Galini, Agios Georgios
Rekindlings are continuous and a consistently strong firefighting force remains in the south of Rethymno.

According to what the mayor of Agios Vassiliou, Yiannis Tatarakis, said a while ago, the firefront has flared up, while the settlement of Agios Giorgis is being evacuated again.

Shortly after one in the afternoon and while the situation looked improved since the morning, there was a new, dangerous resurgence near Agios Georgios, resulting in the decision to evacuate anew the settlement and luxury homes located in the wider area.

In addition to the strong firefighting forces and the volunteers working operating on the fire fronts, an ERICSON helicopter is carrying out water drops, while another one arrived from Tripoli.

The strong winds blowing in the region are hindering the aerial means, with the helicopters in some cases even trying two or three times to re-fill water.

Meanwhile, the fire that broke out yesterday in Rodakino of the Municipality of Agios Vassiliou has been contained, however, 7 vehicles with 22 firefighters remain at the scene, for possible flare-ups. Aerial vehicles have also been operating in the area since dawn.

The residents of the areas that were evacuated yesterday as a precaution have returned to their homes.

According to Mr. Tsikalas, the fire has already incinerated grassland, olive trees, and other arable land and bushy vegetation, with the mayor of Agios Vassiliou, Yiannis Tatarakis adding that many beehives and sheep have been burned.

According to the regional commander of the Fire Department, “houses and people are not in danger”, while 100 firefighters with 30 vehicles and 5 aerial vehicles that started dropping water at the first light of day remain in the battle.

The fire, despite the overnight brave effort of the firefighters, has not yet been contained. According to Mr. Tsikalas, one front is headed towards Akoumia and another front towards Agia Galini. For the tourist resort of Agia Galini, where there are approximately 5,000 people, Mr. Tatarakis expresses his relief that the progress of the fire was stopped and the village did not have to be evacuated.

The fire broke out at noon on Friday, with the fire front starting from Krya Vrysi and passing to Orne before reaching Melampes, the latter having to be evacuated via the 112 alert messages. A total of six villages in the area have been ordered to evacuate, although many residents have stayed in their villages to help put out the fire.

The fire crossed the provincial road that leads from Rethymno to Agia Galini, resulting in a long fiery front created between the villages of Ornes, Krya Vrysi, Shaktouria, and Melampes. Cultivable lands are burning, as well as grasslands, there is also damage to the electricity network.

Yesterday, 5 helicopters, 4 fire engines, and 1 Chinook of the Army Air Force took part in the extinguishing operation, which were withdrawn at approximately 9:00 p.m.

?Ολονύχτια μάχη με τις φλόγες στην περιοχή Μέλαμπες Αγίου Βασιλείου Ρεθύμνου. Επιχειρούν 110 #πυροσβέστες με 5 ομάδες πεζοπόρων τμημάτων και 33 οχήματα?
5⃣1⃣ δασικές πυρκαγιές ? το τελευταίο 24ωρο pic.twitter.com/p7VVvHmvSf

— Πυροσβεστικό Σώμα (@pyrosvestiki) July 15, 2022