Lasithi closes Diktaion Cave on Friday amid extreme wildfire risk
The Diktaion Cave archaeological site in Lasithi will remain closed to the public on Friday, August 28, regional authorities announced, as a category 5 (extreme) wildfire risk is forecast for the area.
Emergency meeting held ahead of forecast
The decision followed an emergency, late-night teleconference of the Regional Operational Coordination Body for Civil Protection (PESOPP) of Lasithi on Thursday, August 27. The meeting was called ahead of the extreme fire-danger forecast for the Regional Unit of Lasithi on Friday, and participants reviewed the elevated risk levels and operational planning for the day, with prevention, rapid response to incidents, and protection of life, the environment and property named as priorities.
As part of preventive measures decided and announced earlier by the Region of Crete, officials added a supplementary step affecting the Diktaion Cave, deciding to keep the archaeological site closed to visitors on Friday for safety reasons.
Public safety appeal
Residents and visitors were called on to strictly follow instructions from the competent authorities and to avoid any activity that could start a fire. The measure in Lasithi comes as authorities elsewhere on the island have already closed forests, gorges and trails across Crete under a “Red Code” wildfire alert, following a period in which the region was already rated at very high risk.
Deputy Regional Governor of Lasithi Giannis Androulakis said increased attention, responsibility and cooperation were required from everyone throughout the day, noting that prevention remains the most effective form of protection against the risk. The Regional Unit of Lasithi urged citizens and visitors to exercise maximum caution, avoid any action that could cause a fire, and stay informed of active restrictions through official announcements from the Region of Crete. The public was also asked to report any smoke or fire immediately to the authorities, since a fast alert can prevent a fire from spreading.
The Region of Crete and the Regional Unit of Lasithi said they remain in continuous operational readiness, working closely with all relevant agencies throughout the day. Officials said the current alert period follows a broader pattern this summer in which Crete has repeatedly been rated at very high wildfire risk and authorities have increased patrols across the island.
Agencies involved
Representatives who took part in the meeting included officials from the Region of Crete’s Civil Protection department, the Regional Unit of Lasithi, the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (DEDDIE), the Port Authority and the Hellenic Police, the municipalities of Lasithi, Civil Protection volunteers, Lasithi Fire Service Commander Dimitris Kalliontzis, and Regional Fire Service Commander of Crete Xenofon Tsilimigkakis. The closure follows a similar precedent this summer, when the Knossos archaeological site closed for several hours over extreme weather conditions.
Authorities listed the following emergency numbers: 199 for the Fire Service, 112 for the European emergency number, 1591 for the Forest Fire Policy Application Inspection, 100 for the Hellenic Police, 108 for the Coast Guard, and 166 for EKAB (the national ambulance service).
