The enormous efforts of the firefighting forces against the fire in Eastern Selino, in the village of Agriles and the surrounding area, paid off after hours.
At this time, the fire is in a state of decline, with no active front.
Due to an accident
Reports suggest that the fire broke out due to a traffic incident in the area, and despite the initial immediate efforts to extinguish it, it escalated with the help of the prevailing winds in the region.
Three messages from the 112 emergency number mobilized the residents, with the second message prompting the evacuation of the villages Agriles and Livada, while the third message directed the evacuation of the villages Maza and Papadianá, as the flames were advancing towards Rodovani.
Initially, three firefighting helicopters, over 130 firefighters from all forces on the island, ground units from EMAK and EMODE, volunteer firefighters, volunteers from the Red Cross, local residents, machinery from the Region and municipality, water tankers, and later in the afternoon, four firefighting aircraft of the Canadair type participated in the extinguishing efforts.
Difficult fire
At this time, the firefighting forces are monitoring the burned areas for any potential rekindling, with the flames having left behind scorched agricultural, rural lands, olive groves, and reed beds.
Speaking to the Athens News Agency, the head of Civil Protection and responsible deputy regional governor, George Tsapakos, referred to a “difficult case with the weather as an enemy, but there was coordination and speed of action, with aerial resources and the four Canadairs playing a significant role. Around 21:00 in the evening, we managed to extinguish the fire. Firefighters are still present, and the deputy chief of the Fire Service is arriving in Chania tonight.”