Greece is one of Europe’s most reliable and popular summer destinations, but it’s also one of the hottest – and with that comes the likelihood of wildfires.
Sadly, these events can no longer be considered extreme weather trends but are more Europe’s ‘new normal’ as the region faces heatwaves due to climate change. In the same week as Türkiye’s Izmir blaze, a wildfire broke out on the popular island of Crete on Wednesday, leading to mass evacuations.
This is obviously worrying news if you’re headed to the island or somewhere nearby, so we’ve rounded up all the latest information about the wildfire, if it’s yet contained, and what to do if you’re considering not travelling.
Recommended: Full list of holiday destinations with ‘red heat’ warnings due to Europe’s heatwave.
Where are the wildfires in Crete?
The fires are largely affecting eastern Crete since they broke out on Wednesday afternoon. It started near the village of Achila, but as of yesterday was also active on two other fronts, according to the BBC: Ferma and Skinokapsala.
Separately, there have also been reports of a fire breaking out near the capital of Athens, in the port of Rafina and in the suburb of Pikermi. It forced a ferry carrying 142 people to divert, according to the New York Times.
Is it safe to travel?
Since it broke out on Wednesday, Greece’s fire service has said the blaze has spread rapidly due to high temperature and very strong winds.
At the time of writing, 5,000 people have been evacuated on the orders of authorities, largely from hotels and rental rooms but also homes. It’s thought 200 of these evacuees are sheltering in a sports hall in Ierapetra, and a state of emergency for this area has since been declared.
Reportedly the damage done is extensive, with houses, villas, hotels and businesses having been destroyed, and the area of Agia Fotia experienced a power outage.
The fires are being fought by 230 firefighters, 13 specialised foot teams, 46 engines and 10 helicopters, and they’re being tracked closely by drones.
All of the island’s hospitals have been put on high alert by Greek health authorities, but this was as a precaution and no serious casualties have been reported yet.
More widely, Reuters reported that the heatwave in Europe is thought to have killed eight people so far.
What’s the latest UK Foreign Office advice?
The FCDO’s travel advice page for Greece hasn’t been updated in light of the Crete wildfires, but it does have general advice on its safety and security page which reads: ‘There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October. Ensure that your mobile phone is registered to receive emergency alerts to be warned of wildfires near your location.’
There’s more information about how to avoid starting wildfires on the page, but if you’re trapped in an area affected by one, here is what you should do: ‘follow @112Greece for official updates; follow the guidance of the emergency services; call the Greek emergency services on 112 if you are in immediate danger; contact your airline or travel operator who can assist you with return travel to the UK.’
Can I get a refund if I choose not to travel because of wildfires?
Travellers who have been evacuated should be able to seek reasonable compensation for their trip if the company they booked with fails to proactively offer vouchers or a refund, according to the Package Travel Regulations.
If you’re already in Greece and want to return home early, you may be able to do so at no extra charge, depending on your travel provider. However, it’s not guaranteed you’ll get a refund for the rest of your trip (that also depends on your provider), so to be sure about all the details, contact them directly. That also goes for if you want to cancel before you travel.
What started the fires in Crete in 2024?
Greece experienced its earliest ever heatwave in June 2024, but saw extremely high temperatures and subsequent wildfires throughout the summer, causing ‘tinderbox-like’ conditions and making the fast spread of fires much more likely.
Where else in Europe has been affected by wildfires and heatwaves?
Much of Europe has been engulfed by a major heatwave over the last week, thanks to a ‘heat dome’ (when an area of high pressure traps hot air), with Spain, France, Italy, Portugal and Türkiye all issuing red alerts for the extreme weather conditions. You can read more in our guide here.
50,000 people were evacuated from Izmir, Türkiye due to wildfires in the region this week. Read more about the Türkiye wildfires here.
The UK also experienced unseasonably high temperatures this week, with London and other areas in the south of England reaching highs of 35C. There’s more on that here.
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