A state of emergency has been declared on the Greek island of Chios as five wildfires rage, prompting evacuations in 17 communities while authorities probe the cause as suspected arson.
Wildfires Devastate Greek Island of Chios, State of Emergency Declared
Wildfires Devastate Greek Island of Chios, State of Emergency Declared
Chios Island faces urgent action as five wildfires threaten communities amid investigation into potential arson.
Firefighters from Athens and Thessaloniki were deployed on Monday to combat multiple wildfires on Chios Island, where strong winds have exacerbated the situation, contributing to the quick spread of the flames. The fires, originating from three locations on Sunday—Kofinas, Agia Anna, and Agios Makarios—saw a fourth blaze flare up shortly after midnight in Agios Markos, alongside a fifth fire in Agiasmata on Monday morning.
Residents are facing significant threats, with reports of damaged homes, agricultural land, and vital infrastructure. Local media outlets have documented the destruction of multiple houses and a distillery. Many locals have pitched in to assist firefighters, dousing flames with buckets of water and other makeshift tools.
As high temperatures approaching 30°C are recorded on the island, additional firefighters—nearly 190 already on-site—will be supplemented by another 90 personnel joining from Athens and Thessaloniki, according to local authorities. The circumstances have raised alarms with Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Ioannis Kefalogiannis, who expressed his concern during an emergency meeting regarding the alarming rate and spread of the fires.
He stated that the situation warranted thorough investigation, particularly in light of the lack of clarity surrounding the multiple ignition points. An Arson Investigation Unit, working in conjunction with local police, has been deployed to determine the cause of the blazes.
Additionally, the fires have led to damage to the local power grid, resulting in outages in the wider Vrontados area. Repair teams from the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network (HEDNO) are en route from Lesvos to address the disruptions, and the implementation of planned power cuts has been initiated to aid firefighting efforts. Water supply challenges and infrastructure damage are also emerging as ongoing issues.
This wildfire marks the first major outbreak this summer in Greece, a country familiar with the threats posed by wildfires and extreme heat. In 2012, a severe wildfire on Chios devastated the island's mastic tree population, critically affecting global supplies of the resin, known as the “tears of Chios.”
Residents are facing significant threats, with reports of damaged homes, agricultural land, and vital infrastructure. Local media outlets have documented the destruction of multiple houses and a distillery. Many locals have pitched in to assist firefighters, dousing flames with buckets of water and other makeshift tools.
As high temperatures approaching 30°C are recorded on the island, additional firefighters—nearly 190 already on-site—will be supplemented by another 90 personnel joining from Athens and Thessaloniki, according to local authorities. The circumstances have raised alarms with Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Ioannis Kefalogiannis, who expressed his concern during an emergency meeting regarding the alarming rate and spread of the fires.
He stated that the situation warranted thorough investigation, particularly in light of the lack of clarity surrounding the multiple ignition points. An Arson Investigation Unit, working in conjunction with local police, has been deployed to determine the cause of the blazes.
Additionally, the fires have led to damage to the local power grid, resulting in outages in the wider Vrontados area. Repair teams from the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network (HEDNO) are en route from Lesvos to address the disruptions, and the implementation of planned power cuts has been initiated to aid firefighting efforts. Water supply challenges and infrastructure damage are also emerging as ongoing issues.
This wildfire marks the first major outbreak this summer in Greece, a country familiar with the threats posed by wildfires and extreme heat. In 2012, a severe wildfire on Chios devastated the island's mastic tree population, critically affecting global supplies of the resin, known as the “tears of Chios.”
