Chios Wildfire: Island in Crisis as Flames Threaten Homes and Lives

• Chios wildfire endangers homes and entire communities
• Evacuation orders were issued for at least 16 villages
• Nearly 200 firefighters battle the flames with heavy equipment and air support.
• Strong winds, dense brush, and heat drive rapid fire spread.
• Power and water outages hit key towns as fire nears infrastructure.
• Chios declared a state of emergency as the wildfire crisis continues.
• “The situation on the island has been extremely difficult since yesterday,” the minister noted.
• Authorities urge residents to follow official guidance and avoid all non-essential travel in fire-hit areas.

Emergency Night in Chios

Chios is facing a severe crisis, with wildfires burning unchecked throughout the island since yesterday. The fire advanced dangerously close to homes, forcing residents into a night filled with anxiety and uncertainty. Emergency services remain on high alert, working nonstop as conditions remain unpredictable due to strong winds and dry vegetation.

As darkness fell, air support could no longer assist, leaving ground forces, volunteers, and locals to battle the flames. The effort is made much harder by gusty winds and dense brush, especially in areas with scattered homes and thick vegetation, which increases the risk to neighbourhoods and key infrastructure.

Authorities sent repeated warnings via 112 to notify residents. Evacuations in Vrontados began at 9:30 pm for Agios Makarios and expanded at 10:30 pm to Agios Markos. Residents were told to head toward the coast, away from fire lines. Similar alerts reached Karyes, Kamposchora, and other towns threatened by the fast-moving blaze. According to official reports, 16 villages had been evacuated by early morning.

Community Disruption and Massive Response

Residents in Vrontados, Kamposchora, Karyes, Chalkeios, and Dafnonas had to leave their homes overnight. “We ask everyone to comply fully with evacuation instructions, and avoid unnecessary movement in affected regions,” stated fire officials as the situation reached a critical point.

The fire sparked further chaos across northern Chios near Leptopoda, where a dense forest remains under threat. Three helicopters operated in the area, while people in Leptopoda were urged to stay prepared for possible evacuation. Messages later called people in Agios Georgios Sykousis, Dafnonas, Vessa, Lithio, Elata, and Armolia to leave, directing them toward Chios town. These repeat alerts across the island reflect the unpredictable drift of the Chios wildfire as winds shift and create new fronts.

Power and water services were disrupted from Sunday noon in Vrontados and much of central and northern Chios, deepening residents’ anxiety. With continued high winds and fires ongoing near Kofinas, Latomi, and Resta, firefighters worked overnight to prevent flames from cutting off the city’s outskirts.

During daylight, water bombers and helicopters rejoined the effort. By early morning, 190 firefighters with 38 vehicles, as well as 11 specialized forest firefighter teams, worked side by side. Chios received reinforcements from Athens and Thessaloniki, including 35 forest commandos who the Air Force flew in, and more teams arrived by ship. Extra machinery arrived by ferry from Lesvos and Piraeus to open firebreaks and protect inhabited areas.

Satellite images from Meteosat-12 revealed smoke from the Chios wildfire stretched as far as Kimolos, about 215 kilometers away. “The situation on the island has been extremely difficult since yesterday because new fire fronts keep appearing and weather conditions make our task even harder,” said Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Yiannis Kefalogiannis during his emergency visit. In his remarks, he stressed, “Just minutes ago, the general secretary officially declared the island in a state of emergency. This lets municipal authorities act quickly as needed.”

Official Statements and Ongoing Investigation

Speaking from Chios, Minister Kefalogiannis announced that more help is on the way. “Today, 190 firefighters are already working here with 11 forest units and 38 vehicles, and 170 more firefighters with 30 vehicles are expected soon.” Air resources include 13 helicopters and four Canadair water bombers, ready to step in wherever needed as new hot spots ignite.

Teams are also investigating why so many fire fronts opened up far apart from each other. “It concerns us and will be examined further,” explained Kefalogiannis. At this time, there is no public information on arrests; however, officials will provide more details after further meetings at the coordination centre “OLYMPOS” near Karyes.

Smoke Cloud Covers Hundreds of Kilometers

Intense, steady winds carried thick smoke for miles. Kostas Lagouvardos, Research Director of the National Observatory of Athens, described the smoke plume as extraordinary.

He said, “The spread of smoke from the large Chios wildfire is astounding, with the plume, as of 2:30 pm on Monday 23/06, reaching west of Chania, covering a distance of nearly 400 kilometers.”

The experience for many was overwhelming, as the smoke cloud grew large enough to be visible far beyond the island, even reaching the western tips of Crete.