Huge wildfire tearing through Greek island after three blazes combine
Huge wildfire tearing through Greek island after three blazes combine
Authorities have said climate change has been fuelling bigger and more frequent blazes
Firefighters work to extinguish a forest fire
More than 100 firefighters assisted by water-dropping helicopters and planes are battling a large wildfire burning near the main town of the eastern Aegean island of Chios, with emergency services ordering the evacuation of a dozen areas. The fire department said three separate blazes had broken out in the morning and mid-day on Sunday near the town of Chios.
The flames were fanned by strong winds, leaving firefighters struggling to contain what turned into one large blaze. The fire department said it was sending an arson investigation team to the Greek island.
Dozens of firefighters from Athens and the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki were sent by ship as reinforcements to the 100 already on the island. Ten water-dropping helicopters and two firefighting planes provided air support until nightfall.
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As daylight faded, local media footage and photos showed firefighters battling towering flames burning through woodland and farmland. Wildfires are frequent in Greece during its hot, dry summers, but authorities have said climate change has been fuelling bigger and more frequent blazes.
In 2018, a massive fire swept through the seaside town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping people in their homes and on roads as they tried to flee. More than 100 people died, including some who drowned trying to swim away from the flames.
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Wildfires rage through Greek island where dozens were forced to flee homes
A massive wildfire is threatening to devastate parts of the Greek island of Chios after picking up force overnight. What began yesterday as three separate fires near the island's main town, also called Chios, has combined into one huge blaze after being fanned by strong winds. Dozens of people living in affected villages are said to have fled their homes, a number set to climb rapidly after authorities sent text messages to several villages urging everyone to evacuate. All 100 of the island's firefighters were called into action but faced being overwhelmed, so Greek mainland authorities sent another 90 by ship. They were assisted by ten helicopters and two airplanes which dropped water on the fires until nightfall. Many people living in areas which aren't currently under direct threat have reportedly suffered power cuts. Areas of woodland caught fire as well as farmland, threatening the livelihoods of many of the island's 51,000 residents. Chios, located in the eastern Aegean, is known for producing mastiha, a resin used in a variety of food products in the reason. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Many local farmers rely on the tree it's tapped from as well as olive trees, both of which are highly vulnerable to fires. More Trending In 2016 wildfires caused 'catastrophic' damage to the island, tearing through 3,500 hectares and destroying around 90% of mastic trees in some areas. Wildfires are frequent in Greece and its islands during the summer, but officials say climate change has increased their size and frequency. More than 100 people died in 2018 after a huge fire devastated the mainland seaside town of Mati. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Man charged with murder over death of 'wonderful' mum in gas explosion MORE: Woman dies after fire breaks out in hostel in north London MORE: Family pays tribute to mum killed before house was blown up
The Independent
an hour ago
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Wildfires ravage Greek holiday island as fire crews battle blazes and dozens evacuated
Wildfires are ravaging a Greek holiday island as fire crews battle blazes and dozens of people are evacuated. Fire crews are battling the large fire on Greece's eastern Aegean island of Chios, as strong winds spread flames and thick smoke through forest and farmland, damaging warehouses, threatening homes, and forcing evacuations in 16 settlements as a precaution. The fire broke out around midday in central Chios on Sunday (22 June) and quickly spread across three fronts Around 140 firefighters with 15 engines, along with 70 forest commandos, were deployed to contain the blaze, according to local media reports. Power outages were reported in several parts of the island.
Wales Online
3 hours ago
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Huge wildfire tearing through Greek island after three blazes combine
Huge wildfire tearing through Greek island after three blazes combine Authorities have said climate change has been fuelling bigger and more frequent blazes Firefighters work to extinguish a forest fire More than 100 firefighters assisted by water-dropping helicopters and planes are battling a large wildfire burning near the main town of the eastern Aegean island of Chios, with emergency services ordering the evacuation of a dozen areas. The fire department said three separate blazes had broken out in the morning and mid-day on Sunday near the town of Chios. The flames were fanned by strong winds, leaving firefighters struggling to contain what turned into one large blaze. The fire department said it was sending an arson investigation team to the Greek island. Dozens of firefighters from Athens and the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki were sent by ship as reinforcements to the 100 already on the island. Ten water-dropping helicopters and two firefighting planes provided air support until nightfall. Article continues below As daylight faded, local media footage and photos showed firefighters battling towering flames burning through woodland and farmland. Wildfires are frequent in Greece during its hot, dry summers, but authorities have said climate change has been fuelling bigger and more frequent blazes. In 2018, a massive fire swept through the seaside town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping people in their homes and on roads as they tried to flee. More than 100 people died, including some who drowned trying to swim away from the flames.
