The holiday hotspot has seen extreme weather, with Brits facing being evacuated as the summer season continues.A holiday warning has been issued – as a wildfire rages at a Greek island forcing evacuations. The European Union holiday hotspot has seen extreme weather, with Brits facing being evacuated as the summer season continues.
The fire erupted below the Pangia Voitheia Monastery on Chios Island, Greece. Firefighters battled with a the large wildfire burning in Karyes village this weekend and residents were evacuated from their homes to avoid the spreading blaze.
An urgent investigation has been launched into the cause of the blaze. Emergency services helped evacuate tourists and residents this weekend, according to reports from the EPA.
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Thick smoke was seen rising as a wildfire burns forested land next to residential areas on Chios Island. Over 100 firefighters have been working on-the-ground to put out the blaze, while 11 water-dropping helicopters have been helping from the sky..
Multiple evacuation orders have been issued. The blaze has spread due to powerful winds. The mayor of Chios, Yiannis Malafis, told Kathimerini that there are three separate fire fronts, each located at a considerable distance from the others, forcing firefighting units to split across different locations.
“The situation is very difficult, and the winds are extremely strong. Helicopters are operating, but under challenging conditions,” he said, adding that evacuated residents are being transported to the island’s town hall.
Authorities have also ordered the evacuation of the areas of Paryfes, Gialourika, Panagia Voitheia, Agios Panteleimonas, and Kastrominas.
According to the Hellenic Fire Department, three separate flashpoints were reported within an hour—in Kofinas, Agia Anna, and Agios Makarios in Vrontados. A fourth front ignited just hours later, raising concerns of coordinated arson.
20 firefighters with 10 vehicles are arriving by ferry from Piraeus, while another 35 are flying in from Thessaloniki. An additional 35 personnel and 5 vehicles, including the mobile command center “OLYMPOS,” are also expected to reach the island from Piraeus.
The extent of the damage is still being assessed, but the rapid spread and multiple ignition points have raised alarm among authorities.