ATHENS 

Authorities on Friday declared a state of emergency in parts of the municipality of Ierapetra following a devastating wildfire in eastern Crete that has since been brought largely under control, local media reported on Friday.

Erupting Wednesday near Ierapetra amid dry, windy conditions, the fire has burned down thousands of acres of farmland and forest on the southern coast of Greece’s largest island.

It severely damaged infrastructure, including water-supply networks, and prompted evacuations of over 1,000 residents and tourists, according to the daily To Vima.

The emergency status, which will remain in effect until Oct. 2, aims to support the response to the crisis and aid recovery efforts, the report added.

The daily noted that an arson investigation team arrived in Crete on Thursday to determine the cause of the fire as the blaze’s swift spread and multiple fronts have raised suspicions of deliberate ignition.