A massive wildfire has been raging on the Greek island of Chios since Saturday. The massive fire threatens residential areas, farmland, and the island’s unique mastiha crops. The fire started as three separate blazes near Kofinas, Agia Anna, and Agios Makarios Vrontados, and has merged into a single, uncontrollable front, fuelled by strong winds. On Sunday, 190 firefighters, supported by 35 vehicles, 11 helicopters, and two water-dropping planes, are battling the blaze. These efforts are hampered by the windy conditions and steep rocky terrain.
At least 16 residential areas, including Dafnonas, Ververato, Karyes, and Agios Makarios, have been evacuated. Alerts were issued by Greece’s 112 emergency system urging residents to flee to safer areas like Vrontados Beach or Chios town. Power outages have affected parts of the island, which are also complicating efforts to douse the fire.
The fires have destroyed warehouses, damaged agricultural land, and raised concerns about olive and mastic trees, important to the local economy.
SIMULTANEOUS FIRES FUEL ARSON SUSPICION
Apart from meteorological reasons, local authorities suspect arson as one of the possible causes, given the simultaneous outbreak of three fires. A specialist fire department arson investigation team has been deployed to the island to inquire into the angle. Greece’s Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection expressed concern over the “suspicious” nature of the fires, noting 110 fires across the country in the last 48 hours.
WHY GREECE’S CHIOS REGION IS SO VULNERABLE TO WILDFIRES?
Chios, located in the eastern Aegean, is prone to wildfires during Greece’s hot, dry summers. Officials attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of such blazes to climate change. The island previously suffered catastrophic wildfire damage in 2016, which destroyed 90% of mastic trees in some areas. Greece had invested heavily in firefighting resources, hiring a record number of firefighters and acquiring modern equipment, but the ongoing fire season remains challenging.
HOW IS CLIMATE CHANGE CAUSING WILDFIRES IN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES?
High temperatures are one of the reasons for wildfires. Chios, like much of Greece, has seen prolonged heatwaves, with summer temperatures often exceeding 40C, priming forests and mastic groves for ignition.
Reduced rainfall and extended droughts are also one of major reasons for such fires. Greece experienced a 30% rainfall deficit in some regions creating tinderbox conditions. On Chios, parched soils and vegetation, including olive and mastic trees, fuel rapid fire spread.
Climate-driven shifts in weather patterns intensify winds, like those fanning the Chios fires. Gusts up to 60 km/h have spread flames across steep, rocky terrain, overwhelming firefighting efforts.
The situation remains critical, with no injuries reported so far, but the fires continue to threaten homes and livelihoods. Tourists, including British and Irish holidaymakers, have been warned, and some evacuations have affected popular areas near Chios town
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