Thirty-five rural wildfires were reported across Greece on Thursday, according to the fire brigade, of which 31 were immediately contained, while the other four required a mobilization of fire-fighters.
The worst instance was a multi-front blaze in the southern part of the Rethymno prefecture on Crete, which was rekindled on Thursday due to strong winds.
A total of 250 fire-fighters operating 54 vehicles and aided by local volunteers and municipal machinery were battling the flames. Twenty-two water-dropping and surveillance aircraft also participated in fire-fighting efforts before dusk, while extra contingents were being flown to Crete from the mainland and the island of Rhodes.
An emergency notification was sent via cell phones to residents in several villages in the vicinity.
