As multiple wildfires rage across Chios, Greece, authorities declare a state of emergency. Evacuations, substantial damage, and concerns over the cause of the fires lead to an ongoing investigation.
Devastating Wildfires Hit Greek Island of Chios: State of Emergency Declared
Devastating Wildfires Hit Greek Island of Chios: State of Emergency Declared
Strong winds and high temperatures fuel five separate wildfires on Chios, prompting evacuations and an arson investigation.
Wildfires are wreaking havoc on the Greek island of Chios, leading to a state of emergency as firefighters battle five separate blazes stoked by strong winds. With strong warnings of high temperatures, the situation has escalated quickly, forcing evacuations in 17 communities.
The fires first erupted on Sunday in Kofinas, Agia Anna, and Agios Makarios, with further outbreaks occurring overnight and into Monday in Agios Markos and Agiasmata. Reports indicate that homes, crops, and local infrastructure have already fallen victim to the flames, with local media highlighting the destruction of several houses.
Currently, around 190 firefighters, supplemented by 11 aircraft and helicopters, are on the scene, with an additional 90 firefighters expected to arrive. Photos depict determined locals assisting in firefighting efforts, dousing flames with buckets of water and clothing to stop smaller fires from spreading.
Greece's Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister, Ioannis Kefalogiannis, expressed deep concern over the unusual outbreak of multiple fires, particularly given their rapid inception. An Arson Investigation Unit is now working alongside local authorities to determine the cause of the fires.
As the region's power grid suffers damage, widespread outages have been reported in the Vrontados area, leading to emergency repair efforts from teams dispatched from the nearby island of Lesvos. In light of the firefighting operations, authorities have also implemented planned power cuts to aid their response.
This incident marks Greece's first major wildfire of the summer, a troubling trend in a country that has battled devastating fires in recent years. Memories of intense wildfires, like the one in 2012 that decimated more than half of Chios's mastic trees, remain vivid, underscoring the urgent need for effective climate action and community resilience.
