Residents of the village Agia Paraskevi in south Rethmnon on the island of Crete were urged to evacuate on Wednesday afternoon due to a wildfire entering the village. They received evacuation messages via the emergency line of the Civil Protection, while on the ground police officers went door to door to alert the people, as state broadcaster ERT reported.
⚠️ Activation of 112 – Emergency Number
🔥 Wildfire in #Rethymno
🆘 If you are in the area of #Agia_Paraskevi, evacuate towards #Mandres #Rethymno
‼️ Follow the instructions of the Authorities
ℹ️ https://t.co/tg45OiBM77@pyrosvestiki@hellenicpolice https://t.co/LCuyfKYzFB
— 112 Greece (@112Greece) August 7, 2024
The fire started around noon time in a remote area in Amari and quickly spread out of control. Meanwhile, the initial blaze has broken down into three fronts.
A local counselor told news website goodnet.gr that “the flames were just outside the village.”
According to the Fire Service, 70 firefighters with 4 teams on foot and 20 fire engines are operating in the area. They are assisted by three water-dropping helicopters.
Dozens of volunteers from the nearby villages have joined the fire extinction efforts, local rethnea.gr reported.
However, the fire extinction efforts are difficult due to strong winds blowing in the area.
Creatlive.gr reported from a big fire front.
⚠️ Ενεργοποίηση 1️⃣1️⃣2️⃣
🆘 Δασική πυρκαγιά 🔥 μεταξύ των περιοχών #Χωρδάκι & #Αγίου_Ιωάννη #Ρεθύμνου
❗ Παραμείνετε σε ετοιμότητα
‼️ Ακολουθείτε τις οδηγίες των Αρχών
ℹ️ https://t.co/kexUnloeCt@pyrosvestiki @hellenicpolice
— 112 Greece (@112Greece) August 7, 2024
Also residents of Hordaki and Agios Ioannis have received messages via the emergency line <112> to be ready to evacuate if necessary due to the fire in the forest between the two villages.
