Strong winds reaching 125km per hour fanned out-of-control wildfires in western Crete, prompting the evacuation of approximately 8,000 residents and tourists from the Rethymno region; the fires, now burning for two days, have already destroyed homes and agricultural land, according to reports from local officials.

Firefighters Struggle with Extreme Conditions

Firefighting efforts have been severely hampered by the weather, while Gusts overnight reached up to 11 on the Beaufort scale,classified as ‘violent’—making it difficult for aircraft to operate. Local media reported that firefighting aircraft were unable to fly on Thursday morning due to the intensity of the winds, but Three firefighters have died in separate incidents in Crete and the Peloponnese in recent days.

Rethymno’s deputy regional governor, Maria Lioni, described Wednesday as a ‘dark day’ for the region and confirmed that containing the blaze remains the top priority, but the fire front is reported to exceed 15km (9.3 miles), and the full extent of the destruction is still unclear.

Europe Wide Fire Crisis

Greece is one of several European countries experiencing devastating wildfires and droughts amid record-breaking heat. Forecasters warn that fire-prone conditions will extend toward the center of Europe in the coming days, with Greece and Turkey expected to be the most affected.

Meanwhile, in London, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) reported its busiest day of 2026, responding to over 500 incidents, many involving grass fires, as Havering recorded the highest number of grass fires with 47, followed by Barking and Dagenham with 16. The LFB said the past 24 hours had been ‘incredibly challenging,’ with arduous conditions for firefighters and control staff.

Assistant commissioner Andy Pennick warned that in such dry conditions, grass fires can spread rapidly, endangering homes and tying up emergency resources; he urged Londoners to avoid using disposable barbecues in parks and to dispose of cigarettes responsibly.

Evacuation and Relief Efforts Underway

Some of those evacuated from Rethymno have been relocated to a temporary shelter in a neighboring municipality, according to Maria Lioni, as Provisions are in place to support tourists, and efforts continue to ensure the safety of affected residents. In London. Resources have been strategically moved to the areas most affected, with specialist vehicles and water rescue teams on standby.

As both Greece and the UK deal with the immediate consequences of the fires, officials emphasize the need for public awareness and caution during the ongoing heatwave. The situation remains fluid, with continued monitoring and response efforts required on both fronts.