People ordered to leave homes, hotels, and rental rooms in the nearby Ferma municipality as flames fanned by gale force-winds approach the area.

A fast-moving wildfire whipped by gale-force winds burned through the night and into Thursday on Greece’s southern island of Crete, prompting the evacuation of more than 1,500 people from hotels and h

ATHENS (Reuters) -Greek firefighters on Wednesday battled a blaze that raged on the popular vacation destination of Crete, burning forest land, threatening homes and prompting the evacuation of residents and tourists from at least four settlements on the island.