The Greek island of Chios is facing a significant wildfire crisis with multiple blazes causing extensive property damage and power outages, leading to a state of emergency declaration.
State of Emergency Declared as Wildfires Hit Greek Island of Chios
State of Emergency Declared as Wildfires Hit Greek Island of Chios
Multiple wildfires erupt on Chios Island, prompting evacuations and an investigation into potential arson as firefighters battle flames fanned by strong winds.
A state of emergency is now in effect on the Greek island of Chios, where five distinct wildfires are raging uncontrollably, exacerbated by powerful winds. Authorities have evacuated residents from 17 communities as they grapple with the ongoing infernos, which ignited under suspicious circumstances, prompting an arson investigation.
The series of fires began on a Sunday, with three fires reported in Kofinas, Agia Anna, and Agios Makarios regions. A fourth fire erupted hours later in Agios Markos, followed by a fifth blaze on Monday morning in Agiasmata. Local media outlets have reported that damage to homes, agricultural land, and infrastructure has been substantial, with several houses reportedly destroyed.
Chios is currently under a moderate to high-temperature warning as temperatures approach 30C, with predictions of hotter conditions later in the week. To combat the fires, around 190 firefighters have been deployed to the island, aided by 11 aircraft and helicopters. An additional 90 firefighters are being dispatched from Athens and Thessaloniki to bolster efforts.
Images from the island depict a community effort, with locals collaborating with firefighters by using buckets of water to douse flames and cloths to extinguish smaller spot fires. Reports indicate that significant destruction has been inflicted on various properties, including a distillery, and some residents have been unable to assess the extent of damage to their homes.
Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Ioannis Kefalogiannis has expressed serious concern regarding the emergence of multiple fire fronts in proximity, recommending a comprehensive investigation into their origins. The fires have led to damage to the local electricity grid, resulting in outages across Vrontados, with repair teams dispatched from the nearby island of Lesvos. Planned power cuts are also being implemented to facilitate firefighting efforts, while water supply issues and further infrastructure damage have surfaced.
This incident marks the first significant wildfire event of the summer for Greece, a country familiar with the destructiveness of wildfires and extreme heat. Chios, in particular, has a history with devastating fires; in 2012, a wildfire decimated over half of the island's mastic crop, crucial for culinary and pharmaceutical applications, thus disrupting global supplies of the renowned "tears of Chios."
