The fire is ongoing in areas of Ierapetra in Lasithi.
Late on Wednesday afternoon (2/7), a new alarm was raised at the Fire Department, shortly after the successful extinguishing of the fire in Stomio earlier. The fire front started from Achlia, headed towards Ferma in the evening hours, while early Thursday morning, there was a resurgence of the fire in Achlia.
Shortly before 5 pm, 112 "sounded" asking residents of the areas of Agia Fotia, Achlia, Galini and Ferma to move away towards Ierapetra.
As the deputy mayor of Ierapetra, Nektarios Papadakis, reported to SKAI 100,3, damage has been caused to buildings, while settlements and hotels have been evacuated.
Firefighters were reinforced overnight, as the front continues to rage uncontrollably and threaten property.
According to the fire department, more than 155 firefighters, 8 on-site units of the 3rd EMODE and 28 fire engines are currently operating at the scene.
From the first hours of the fire, residents of the area tried to shield their homes by creating embankments, while many participated in the containment efforts.
Until the last light of day, 4 helicopters participated in the firefighting operations.
Emergency medical services on high alert
The Emergency Medical Service is also on heightened alert in the prefecture of Lasithi and in full cooperation with the competent authorities, while 8 ambulances are operating.
Up to this time, according to the EKAB and the Regional Civil Protection Coordinator of the Region of Crete, Manolis Paravolidakis, 3 citizens with respiratory problems, 2 citizens with minor injuries and 1 citizen with mobility problems have been transported to the Ierapetra General Hospital.
The major operation for the fire in Ierapetra will be reinforced with forces from Athens
"We will have a difficult night," said the governor of Crete, Stavros Arnaoutakis, earlier in his statements, heading towards Ierapetra.
Mr. Arnaoutakis pointed out that reinforcements are expected from Athens, while commenting that "the goal is the protection of human life and immediately after that, property."
In fact, the regional governor of Crete clarified that the entire mechanism is also in place, while he pointed out that there will be cooperation between agencies to address the needs, even of tourists who had to move from hotel units, after the message, via 112.
According to the deputy regional director of civil protection for the Crete region, Giorgos Tsapakos, "the battle with the flames" was expected to be "all-night", while as he made known, he had been in contact with the Minister of Civil Protection, Yiannis Kefalogiannis, about sending reinforcements with fire brigade forces and special teams from Athens.
Mr. Tsapakos also mentioned that the firefighting task is extremely difficult due to both the intensity of the winds and their change in direction.
Source: skai.gr
