Sitia wildfire burns over 2,500 stremmata, fire crews remain on alert

More than 2,500 stremmata of land have been burned by a large wildfire that broke out on Sunday afternoon (September 20) near Sitia, in eastern Crete, according to information obtained by Cretalive.

The fire destroyed approximately 2,300 stremmata of grassland and pasture, 100 stremmata of forest land, and a further 100 stremmata of agricultural land, Cretalive reported.

The blaze is currently under partial control, with no active fire front, but firefighting forces remain in the area out of concern for possible flare-ups. The Sitia wildfire had earlier prompted what the town’s mayor described as an unprecedented mobilization of the fire brigade.

Firefighting resources deployed

Thirteen fire engines with 26 firefighters are operating in the area, along with two ground crews totaling 12 personnel. Fire service units are expected to remain on standby throughout the night as a precaution.

Overnight evacuations ordered

The fire broke out on Sunday afternoon and quickly grew in size, with strong wind gusts significantly hampering firefighting efforts. As flames advanced toward inhabited areas, authorities carried out precautionary evacuations, with successive 112 emergency alerts sent to residents in the fire’s path.

Shortly before midnight, a 112 message instructed residents of Kellaria, Adravastoi and Azokeramos to move toward Palaikastro, while a similar instruction was issued to residents of Zakros, directing them toward Xerokampos.

The situation was described as particularly difficult in Adravastoi, where efforts were made to evacuate elderly residents to a safe location in time.

Fire crews remained on alert throughout the night, working on the fire fronts with the assistance of the Municipality of Sitia, water tanker trucks and volunteers from surrounding villages.