The Greek island of Chios is currently facing a state of emergency as five wildfires burn out of control, fueled by gusty winds and dry conditions. Firefighting units from Athens and Thessaloniki were dispatched to assist in combating the flames that have erupted across various locations including Kofinas, Agia Anna, and Agios Makarios since Sunday.
Amid rampant devastation, residents from 17 communities were ordered to evacuate their homes, fearing for their safety as yet another fire ignited early in the morning on Monday. Reports indicate that several residences and agricultural lands have succumbed to the flames, with local media highlighting that some structures—including at least one distillery—have been destroyed.
Weather conditions remain a concern as temperatures are forecasted to rise, reaching highs of 30 degrees Celsius later in the week. Around 190 firefighters are currently deployed to Chios, aided by 11 aircraft and helicopters. Authorities have confirmed that an additional contingent of 90 firefighters will soon arrive to bolster efforts against the raging infernos.
Community members have rallied to support firefighting efforts, using buckets of water and makeshift tools to tackle smaller fires near their properties. However, many locals remain anxious as they have been unable to assess the damage done to their homes and possessions.
In light of the multiple fire outbreaks, Greece’s Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Ioannis Kefalogiannis expressed his grave concerns during an emergency meeting on-site. An investigation led by the fire service's Arson Investigation Unit is now underway to explore the origin of these fires, with officials suspicious of the consecutive nature of the blazes.
Additionally, the wildfires have severely damaged the local power grid, causing outages in wider areas of Vrontados. Repair teams from the nearby island of Lesvos have been sent in to address these electrical issues, while planned power outages have been instituted to facilitate firefighting activities. With Chios previously enduring significant wildfire devastation in 2012, the repercussions of these new fires could have lasting impacts on the region's ecology and economy if not contained swiftly.
Amid rampant devastation, residents from 17 communities were ordered to evacuate their homes, fearing for their safety as yet another fire ignited early in the morning on Monday. Reports indicate that several residences and agricultural lands have succumbed to the flames, with local media highlighting that some structures—including at least one distillery—have been destroyed.
Weather conditions remain a concern as temperatures are forecasted to rise, reaching highs of 30 degrees Celsius later in the week. Around 190 firefighters are currently deployed to Chios, aided by 11 aircraft and helicopters. Authorities have confirmed that an additional contingent of 90 firefighters will soon arrive to bolster efforts against the raging infernos.
Community members have rallied to support firefighting efforts, using buckets of water and makeshift tools to tackle smaller fires near their properties. However, many locals remain anxious as they have been unable to assess the damage done to their homes and possessions.
In light of the multiple fire outbreaks, Greece’s Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Ioannis Kefalogiannis expressed his grave concerns during an emergency meeting on-site. An investigation led by the fire service's Arson Investigation Unit is now underway to explore the origin of these fires, with officials suspicious of the consecutive nature of the blazes.
Additionally, the wildfires have severely damaged the local power grid, causing outages in wider areas of Vrontados. Repair teams from the nearby island of Lesvos have been sent in to address these electrical issues, while planned power outages have been instituted to facilitate firefighting activities. With Chios previously enduring significant wildfire devastation in 2012, the repercussions of these new fires could have lasting impacts on the region's ecology and economy if not contained swiftly.
