A housemaid of Georgian descent has been arrested in Chios for allegedly igniting a wildfire by discarding a lit cigarette, according to police reports. The woman reportedly confessed to her role in one of several fire outbreaks in the northern area of the island, distinct from the fires around the city.
The Origin of the Chios Fire: The Woman’s Statement
As per reports, the incident took place on the morning of June 23. The woman stated that while smoking, she accidentally disposed of her cigarette in a location that quickly ignited. She claimed she attempted to put out the flames but was unsuccessful.
The wildfire consumed over 40,000 stremmata (about 4,000 hectares or 10,000 acres) — see satellite image
The destructive fire on Chios raged for three days, resulting in extensive damage. The preliminary assessment of the burned area includes:
- 28,500 stremmata of forest and scrubland
- 3,600 stremmata of rocky terrain
- 400 stremmata of pine forest (Pinus brutia)
- 8,400 stremmata of agricultural land (primarily olive groves), which makes up 20% of the impacted area
Authorities indicate that the final assessment of the burned area may be lower, as they will conduct a detailed mapping of unburned sections within the perimeter.
Chios Arson Arrest: Woman Charged After Cigarette Ignites Wildfire
Stay tuned for updates on the legal proceedings and recovery efforts in response to this environmental tragedy on Chios.
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