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19 September 2025
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Major fire erupts at landfill near Chania, Crete
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A significant fire erupted at the landfill near Chania on or around 18-19 September 2025, causing dense smoke to fill the sky. Firefighters responded overnight and continue to work to contain the blaze, which has proven difficult to bring under control and is raising concerns for the local environment and residents. The fire was first reported on 18 September 2025, with subsequent posts in early 19 September, indicating it was ongoing. Thick smoke billowed into the sky, prompting concerns about air quality and health for residents in the vicinity.
Firefighters were on the scene and had been working to contain the difficult-to-control fire. Excavators and trucks have been deployed by landfill management to smother the burning waste with soil.
This latest incident comes after other significant fires on Crete and elsewhere in Greece throughout 2025:
In early July, a wildfire in the southeastern part of Crete near Ierapetra forced the evacuation of thousands of residents and tourists and caused widespread damage.
In August, a fire broke out at a landfill on the island of Naxos, requiring crews to use heavy machinery to contain the flames.
In a separate incident just days after the Chania fire, another blaze was reported at a landfill in Agios Nikolaos, also on Crete, on September 21.
The risk of fire remains high across many parts of Greece due to dry conditions and high temperatures, which extend into September. While the exact cause of the Chania landfill fire is under investigation, these types of blazes can be exacerbated by the buildup of methane gas in waste and the presence of combustible materials.
Source: Various
Firefighters were on the scene and had been working to contain the difficult-to-control fire. Excavators and trucks have been deployed by landfill management to smother the burning waste with soil.
This latest incident comes after other significant fires on Crete and elsewhere in Greece throughout 2025:
In early July, a wildfire in the southeastern part of Crete near Ierapetra forced the evacuation of thousands of residents and tourists and caused widespread damage.
In August, a fire broke out at a landfill on the island of Naxos, requiring crews to use heavy machinery to contain the flames.
In a separate incident just days after the Chania fire, another blaze was reported at a landfill in Agios Nikolaos, also on Crete, on September 21.
The risk of fire remains high across many parts of Greece due to dry conditions and high temperatures, which extend into September. While the exact cause of the Chania landfill fire is under investigation, these types of blazes can be exacerbated by the buildup of methane gas in waste and the presence of combustible materials.
Source: Various