The Greek island of Chios is facing a critical situation as a state of emergency has been declared due to multiple wildfires sweeping across the island. Firefighters from major cities such as Athens and Thessaloniki have been dispatched to combat the flames. With five separate fires reported, the local government has evacuated residents from 17 communities while launching an investigation into potential arson, following the rapid emergence of multiple fire fronts.
The initial three wildfires erupted on Sunday in the areas of Kofinas, Agia Anna, and Agios Makarios. Shortly thereafter, a fourth fire ignited in Agios Markos at midnight, with a fifth blaze appearing on Monday morning in Agiasmata. These blazes have already left a trail of destruction, damaging homes, agricultural land, and essential infrastructure, with reports indicating that several houses have been lost to the flames.
As temperatures remain high, peaking around 30°C, there are warnings of even hotter weather approaching later in the week. Currently, around 190 firefighters are actively tackling the blazes, aided by 11 firefighting aircraft and helicopters. Additionally, a further 90 firefighters are expected to arrive soon from the mainland.
Local residents have rallied to support the firefighting efforts, using buckets of water and improvised methods to combat smaller fires. As damage mounts, local media outlets report extensive destruction to homes and at least one distillery, raising concerns among residents regarding the status of their properties.
Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Ioannis Kefalogiannis, visited Chios and expressed his deep concern over the multiple fire outbreaks. “This alarming situation requires a comprehensive investigation,” he stated. Alongside local authorities, a specialized team from the fire service is delving into the origins of the fires.
The ongoing wildfires have disrupted the local power grid, leading to outages in the Vrontados area. Repair teams from the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network (HEDNO) have been deployed from the nearby island of Lesvos for emergency repairs. To aid firefighting operations, some pre-arranged power cuts have also been initiated, revealing additional challenges related to water supply and infrastructure damage.
This is the first major wildfire incident in Greece this summer, a nation that has historically been prone to severe fires and extreme heat events. Memories of devastating wildfires linger, particularly from an intense blaze on Chios in 2012 that obliterated a significant portion of the island's unique mastic trees, critically impacting the global supply of this prized resin.
The initial three wildfires erupted on Sunday in the areas of Kofinas, Agia Anna, and Agios Makarios. Shortly thereafter, a fourth fire ignited in Agios Markos at midnight, with a fifth blaze appearing on Monday morning in Agiasmata. These blazes have already left a trail of destruction, damaging homes, agricultural land, and essential infrastructure, with reports indicating that several houses have been lost to the flames.
As temperatures remain high, peaking around 30°C, there are warnings of even hotter weather approaching later in the week. Currently, around 190 firefighters are actively tackling the blazes, aided by 11 firefighting aircraft and helicopters. Additionally, a further 90 firefighters are expected to arrive soon from the mainland.
Local residents have rallied to support the firefighting efforts, using buckets of water and improvised methods to combat smaller fires. As damage mounts, local media outlets report extensive destruction to homes and at least one distillery, raising concerns among residents regarding the status of their properties.
Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Ioannis Kefalogiannis, visited Chios and expressed his deep concern over the multiple fire outbreaks. “This alarming situation requires a comprehensive investigation,” he stated. Alongside local authorities, a specialized team from the fire service is delving into the origins of the fires.
The ongoing wildfires have disrupted the local power grid, leading to outages in the Vrontados area. Repair teams from the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network (HEDNO) have been deployed from the nearby island of Lesvos for emergency repairs. To aid firefighting operations, some pre-arranged power cuts have also been initiated, revealing additional challenges related to water supply and infrastructure damage.
This is the first major wildfire incident in Greece this summer, a nation that has historically been prone to severe fires and extreme heat events. Memories of devastating wildfires linger, particularly from an intense blaze on Chios in 2012 that obliterated a significant portion of the island's unique mastic trees, critically impacting the global supply of this prized resin.
