Wildfires that erupted yesterday afternoon in northern Chios are still raging. Currently, 190 firefighters with 38 vehicles are on the scene, and at daybreak, five aerial units (four aircraft and one helicopter) joined the firefighting efforts.
Throughout the night, firefighters and local residents worked diligently to safeguard homes from the advancing flames; however, strong winds continue to pose a challenge. Since yesterday afternoon, sections of the island, particularly from Chios city northward, have been experiencing power outages.
During the night, the focus of firefighting efforts intensified on the southern part of the fire near Chalkeio and Dafnonas, while the northern front near Vrontados remains a significant concern as flames consume suburban areas.
According to the fire department, the various fronts are spreading, affecting both forested and agricultural lands, with no official reports of houses being destroyed so far.
George Christakis, deputy mayor of Tourism and Sports, who attended the latest coordination meeting with the Fire Service and Police, reported that the fire has advanced from Vrontados toward the area of the leper colony at Kofinas.
“The Kofinas area is uninhabited, and ground forces from the Fire Service are actively engaged there,” Christakis stated, noting that Vrontados has been without power for several hours, complicating daily life for residents and hindering firefighting operations.
The fire has spread across three primary areas:
- From Karyes toward Kleidou
- From Vrontados, Agios Markos, and Agios Makarios, which triggered multiple 112 alerts
- From Korakari, advancing toward both the city center and southern Chios
In Agios Makarios, flames have reached nearby homes, with residents and volunteers making every effort to halt their progress.
Videos and images capturing the situation in Agios Markos Vrontados:
Strong firefighting forces on the island
Despite substantial aerial firefighting efforts throughout the day involving 14 aerial units, the efforts were hindered once darkness fell, leaving the island exposed to strong winds that have been uncontrollably fueling the fires.
Reinforcements from Thessaloniki and Piraeus arrived at dawn, bringing the total number of firefighters to 190 with 38 vehicles working to contain the blaze.
Specifically, the SUPERRUNNERJET 2 departed from Drapetsona with 10 fire engines and 20 firefighters, while the “ARIADNI” transported one bus, 5 fire engines, and 35 firefighters to reinforce the efforts around Chios city.
Member of Parliament for Chios, Notis Mitarachi, is stationed at the Operations Center of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, alongside Deputy Minister Evangelos Tournas to oversee the firefighting operations. It has been announced that 11 helicopters will remain on Chios to resume operations at 06:00 this morning.
Images of the fires as seen from the island’s airport:
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