State of Emergency Declared on Greek Island of Chios Amid Multiple Wildfires

The Greek island of Chios is facing a crisis as five wildfires rage across the island, leading to widespread evacuations and damage to homes and infrastructure. As local firefighters receive support from Athens and Thessaloniki, authorities begin investigating the possible arson behind the unprecedented outbreak of fires.

Firefighters are battling multiple wildfires on the Greek island of Chios, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency. The fires, which have broken out in five different locations, are being accelerated by strong wind conditions. Local authorities have begun evacuating residents from 17 communities as they assess the escalating situation.

The wildfires began on Sunday, with three preliminary fires reported in Kofinas, Agia Anna, and Agios Makarios. The situation worsened overnight, with a fourth blaze igniting in Agios Markos, followed by another outbreak in Agiasmata on Monday morning. Local media have reported substantial damage, including the destruction of houses and agricultural assets on the island.

Weather reports indicate a moderate heat alert for Chios, with temperatures reaching around 30C, with forecasts predicting further increases in temperature as the week progresses. In response to the crisis, approximately 190 firefighters, supported by 11 aircraft and helicopters, are on-site, and an additional 90 firefighters are expected to bolster their efforts.

Dramatic images from the island show residents joining efforts to combat the flames, some using buckets of water and clothing to tackle smaller fires. Reports indicate that local infrastructure, including power lines, have suffered significant damage, leading to outages in the Vrontados area. The Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network (HEDNO) has dispatched repair teams from nearby Lesvos, while planned power cuts will be instituted to aid firefighting efforts.

Greece's Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Ioannis Kefalogiannis has expressed concern over the simultaneous outbreaks and has called for a thorough investigation to uncover the cause, with an arson investigation team collaborating with local police to explore the circumstances behind these fires. This marks the first significant wildfire event of the summer for Greece, a country historically affected by devastating wildfires and extreme heat-related weather conditions. In 2012, a severe wildfire on the island had catastrophic impacts, decimating key crops and disrupting local economies.