The devastating fire that forced thousands to evacuate southeastern Crete has been extinguished, with residents and tourists now returning to their homes and hotels.
Previous Coverage: Major Fires Devastate Southeastern Crete as Thousands Evacuate – July 3, 2025
Fire Extinguished After Massive Operation
The main wildfire front has been completely extinguished as of Friday morning. There are no longer active, uncontrolled fire fronts in the Ierapetra region after a massive firefighting effort involving over 230 personnel.
About 230 firefighters and 6 helicopters remain in the area to monitor for flare-ups. Strong winds and high temperatures continue to pose risks, but the worst is over and the situation is under control.
Weather Conditions Improve Dramatically
Winds have dropped considerably since Thursday’s dangerous conditions. Forecasts show moderate to low wind speeds of 8-15 km/h (Beaufort 2-3) for Friday and the weekend.
This dramatic improvement in weather helped bring the fire under control and reduces the risk of new outbreaks. Temperatures remain high at 28-33°C, with another heatwave expected to begin Sunday.
Evacuees Returning to Their Homes
Evacuated residents and tourists are being allowed to return to their homes, hotels, and rental properties. The affected villages include Achlia, Agia Fotia, Galini, Ferma, and Koutsounari.
Temporary shelters in Ierapetra, including the indoor sports arena, are winding down as people return home. About 5,000 people were evacuated at the peak of the emergency, mainly tourists and hotel staff.
Infrastructure Being Restored
Infrastructure repairs are underway across the affected areas. Some areas still face power outages and minor road closures, but restoration efforts are ongoing and most services are being restored.
The main roads that were closed during the emergency are gradually reopening to normal traffic. Local authorities are working around the clock to restore full connectivity.
Damage Assessment Continues
Several homes, greenhouses, and agricultural areas were damaged or destroyed, especially in Agia Fotia and Ferma. The full extent of property loss is still being assessed by local authorities.
Tragically, volunteers and animal welfare groups reported finding dead farm animals, some of which were unable to escape because they were chained or confined. This heartbreaking discovery underscores the urgent need for better animal protection and emergency planning during fires.
No human injuries or fatalities have been reported, though a handful of people were treated for respiratory issues due to smoke inhalation. All hospitals that were on high alert have returned to normal operations.
Current Status (as of 10:00 CEST, July 4, 2025): The fire is extinguished and under control. Monitoring continues for potential flare-ups, but the emergency phase has ended.
Tourism Industry Bounces Back
Crete remains fully open for tourism. The fire was localized in the southeast Ierapetra region, and the vast majority of the island is completely unaffected.
All major resorts, Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno, Elounda, Hersonissos, and Agios Nikolaos continue operating normally. Flights and ferries are running on schedule with no disruptions.
Animal shelters in the region, including Takis Shelter, Jutta Shelter, and other local shelters, have reported no disruptions due to the fire and continue their normal operations.
Advice for Current and Future Travelers
If you’re traveling to the affected villages, check directly with your hotel or host for the latest on reopening and local conditions. Some restoration work may still be ongoing.
If your plans are elsewhere in Crete, you can travel as normal. There’s no reason to cancel or alter your trip if you’re not staying in the directly affected areas.
The swift containment of this fire shows the effectiveness of Greece’s emergency response system, even in challenging conditions. Authorities remain vigilant as another heatwave approaches, but the immediate crisis has passed.
Personal Reflection
Editor’s Note: The following represents personal views.
What a relief to write about recovery instead of devastation. Seeing families return to their homes and tourists resume their holidays brings hope after yesterday’s heartbreak.
The speed of this recovery shows the incredible dedication of Greece’s firefighters and emergency services. They literally saved lives and livelihoods through their tireless work.
Let’s keep perspective too. Crete is over 8,000 square kilometers, and while this fire was devastating for those directly affected, most of the island continued as normal. Tourists were still sipping frappes by the sea, completely unaware of the drama unfolding in these southeastern villages (unless they went on their phone to check the news).
But we can’t brush off what happened. For the people in Achlia, Agia Fotia, Ferma, and the other affected areas, this wasn’t just a headline. It was their life, their land, and their everything.
While we’re grateful for this positive outcome, the deeper questions about these recurring fires remain.
Why do we see this pattern every summer? Is it really mere coincidence that this is happening every year to an ancient land with ancient trees and plants? Will the burned land make way for developments that benefit only the wealthy, or for wind turbines that destroy the land they sit on, while making locals more dependent on external systems?
The risks haven’t disappeared either. Another heatwave approaches this Sunday, and the conditions that created this crisis could easily return.
For now, though, let’s appreciate this moment of relief and send kindness to those whose homes and businesses were affected. Continue supporting them as they rebuild. Crete’s spirit is strong, and today that strength shines bright.
Published: July 4th, 2025 at 14:00 CET
Further reading: Major Fires Devastate Southeastern Crete as Thousands Evacuate – July 3rd, 2025
To all my friends and neighbours in the affected region, I wish you strength and fortitude in rebuilding your lives and communities. Steve Daniels (Stefanos Anglos), resident of Ferma (2004-2020)