Forest fire in southern Crete contained, suspect arrested

The fire at Mavros Kolymbos in Lasithi, southern Greece, has been extinguished. A 35-year-old arson suspect has been arrested. Firefighters remain in the area.

Satellite images of the burned area at 12:05 on April 7, 2024 published by the Remote Sensing Laboratory rslab.gr

The fire started Saturday morning and has burned 2,500 acres of forest and farmland, causing damage to greenhouses and homes, local media reported. neakriti.gr

More than 200 firefighters in 38 vehicles and 4 helicopters took part in the operation to extinguish the fire. However, 36 firefighters with 18 engines remain in the area on Monday due to a possible re-ignition, local media noted, adding that “the fire has been contained, but the ground is still burning.”

Firefighting forces on the island of Crete are on general alert until April 9.

Authorities on Sunday arrested a Greek national suspected of starting a forest fire, fire brigades said. The suspect was arrested by members of the Arson Crimes Unit in cooperation with fire investigators, according to the statement. The suspect is due to appear before the Lasithi Crime Prosecutor on Monday.

Fire brigade sources said he was burning branches after trimming trees in the gardens. One of the fires was not properly extinguished, so the fire spread quickly as strong winds were blowing, measuring 7 to 8 on the Beaufort scale. Several villages had to be evacuated, two firefighters and two local residents were injured. Among them is a farmer who is in hospital with severe internal burns.

The fire in southern Crete became the second largest in a week after the fire in Pierian mountains. It is noted that in 2024, fires began unusually early, since the weather has been warm and dry for almost a month, with virtually no precipitation, resulting in a dangerous fire situation.

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