Wildfires have engulfed the Greek island of Chios, resulting in a state of emergency as multiple fronts blaze through the region. As of Monday, five separate wildfires are burning and are intensified by strong winds, forcing evacuations in 17 communities. Local authorities are looking into potential arson as the cause, given that several fires ignited within a short span of time.
Starting on Sunday, forest fires erupted in Kofinas, Agia Anna, and Agios Makarios, followed by a midnight outbreak in Agios Markos and a fifth eruption on Monday morning in Agiasmata. Significant damage has been reported, destroying homes, crops, and local infrastructure.
Over 190 firefighters are currently fighting the flames, aided by 11 aircraft and helicopters, with an additional 90 firefighters expected from Athens and Thessaloniki. Locals have rallied to support firefighters, using buckets of water and clothing to douse flames.
Greece’s Minister of Civil Protection, Ioannis Kefalogiannis, expressed concern, stating that the outbreak of simultaneous fires demands a thorough investigation. The wildfires have also disrupted the local power grid, causing outages, which has led to further damage and water supply issues.
This summer marks the first major wildfire incident in Greece, an area historically affected by extreme heat and devastating fires. In 2012, Chios experienced a catastrophic wildfire that ravaged more than half of its iconic mastic trees, which are vital for cooking and pharmaceuticals.
