A comprehensive investigation follows the outbreak of fires that have forced evacuations and caused extensive damage across Chios.
Wildfires Erupt on Greek Island of Chios Amid State of Emergency
Wildfires Erupt on Greek Island of Chios Amid State of Emergency
The island faces severe damage and evacuations as multiple wildfires wreak havoc.
A state of emergency has been declared on the Greek island of Chios as five separate wildfires rage, fueled by strong winds and high temperatures. Residents of 17 communities have been evacuated, and authorities have initiated an arson investigation due to the fires' simultaneous outbreak.
The wildfires began on Sunday, affecting areas such as Kofinas, Agia Anna, and Agios Makarios. A fourth fire ignited just after midnight in Agios Markos, followed by a fifth blaze on Monday morning in Agiasmata. Various reports indicate that several homes, crops, and infrastructures have suffered significant damage, with local media confirming the destruction of multiple houses.
Temperatures on Chios are currently at a moderate high of around 30°C, with forecasts predicting further increases towards the end of the week, raising concerns for additional fire risks. Approximately 190 firefighters, augmented by 11 aircraft and helicopters, are actively engaged in combating the blazes, with around 90 firefighters on their way from Athens and Thessaloniki to bolster the efforts.
Local residents have taken part in the firefighting efforts, using buckets of water and clothes to douse smaller flames. However, the situation remains grave, with damaging reports emerging of a local distillery affected, and residents expressing anxiety about the status of their properties.
Greece's Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Ioannis Kefalogiannis, after an emergency meeting on Chios, expressed his concern over the rapid emergence of the fires in various locations, calling for a detailed investigation. The local power grid has suffered damage, leading to outages in the Vrontados area, and teams have been dispatched from Lesvos for repairs. Planned power cuts have been implemented to facilitate firefighting operations, and water supply issues have also surfaced.
This marks Greece's first significant wildfire incident this summer, a period during which the country is typically vulnerable to severe heat and devastating fires. Notably, a major wildfire in 2012 had already devastated the island's mastic production, crucial in cooking and pharmaceuticals, highlighting the ongoing risk of such disasters on Chios.
