Devastating Wildfires Force Evacuations on Chios Island

As fires rage on Chios, strong winds and high temperatures complicate firefighting efforts, prompting an arson investigation and massive evacuations.

A state of emergency has been declared on the Greek island of Chios due to the outbreak of multiple wildfires that have ignited across the landscape, driven by strong winds. As of Monday, five different fire fronts are reported, leading to the evacuation of residents in 17 communities as fire threatens life and property.

The fires began erupting on Sunday in various locations, including Kofinas, Agia Anna, and Agios Makarios, with subsequent blazes emerging in Agios Markos and Agiasmata early Monday morning. The rapid spread of the flames has resulted in significant damage, destroying homes, agricultural land, and vital infrastructure on the island.

In response, approximately 190 firefighters have been deployed to combat the flames, with additional support arriving from Athens and Thessaloniki. Aerial assistance includes 11 aircraft and helicopters battling the intense fires. Footage from local sources shows residents actively aiding firefighting efforts, drenched in sweat, wielding buckets to douse the flames, and attempting to extinguish small fires with clothing.

Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Ioannis Kefalogiannis arrived on the island after convening an emergency meeting, expressing deep concern over the unusual outbreak of multiple wildfires in such a short timeframe and calling for a thorough investigation. Local authorities have initiated an arson investigation in collaboration with fire department officials.

The wildfires have also caused disruptions to the local power grid, leading to outages in the broader Vrontados area. Crews from the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network (HEDNO) have been dispatched from Lesvos to conduct repairs. Meanwhile, local residents face increasing water supply issues, as firefighting strategies have led to planned power outages to facilitate coordinated relief efforts.

These wildfires mark the first significant disaster of the current summer season in Greece, a country historically affected by summer wildfires and extreme heat. Memories of previous devastating blazes linger, such as the intense wildfire of 2012, which wreaked havoc on Chios by destroying a substantial portion of the island's mastic trees, crucial to the global economy.