The Greek island of Chios has declared a state of emergency as wildfires rage for a third day, devastating forests and farmland.
As of Tuesday, June 24, 2025, 444 firefighters, supported by eight aircraft, are deployed across the northeastern Aegean island to combat multiple fire fronts.
The blazes, intensified by strong northerly winds, have forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents from 16 villages, settlements, and neighborhoods near Chios town, the island’s capital.
Authorities are working to protect homes and the island’s renowned mastiha-producing regions, vital for the natural resin harvested from mastic trees.
The fires, which began on Sunday in three separate locations near Chios town, have merged into a single, uncontrollable blaze, fanned by powerful gusts.
On Monday, 190 firefighters, backed by 35 vehicles, five helicopters, and two water-dropping planes, struggled to contain the flames.
Local media captured images of towering flames consuming woodland and farmland, with power outages reported across the island.
A new evacuation alert was issued Tuesday for a seaside village southwest of Chios town as smoke rose over a nearby beach.
“A lot of work is still needed to bring the wildfires under control,” a Greek fire brigade official, who requested anonymity, told Reuters.
Greece, no stranger to wildfires during its hot, dry summers, faces increasing fire intensity, which authorities attribute to climate change.
The government has invested heavily in firefighting resources, deploying a record 18,000 firefighters this year to address the growing threat.
Amid concerns of arson, a specialist fire department team has been dispatched to investigate the cause of the fires, which started in multiple locations within hours.
The situation remains critical, with ongoing efforts to safeguard residential areas and Chios’ economically vital mastiha production zones during the peak tourist season.