Wildfires fanned by strong winds are continuing to rage across the Greek island of Chios for a second consecutive day, prompting authorities to evacuate more villages. Firefighters battled with flames overnight between Sunday (6/22) and Monday (6/23) morning, in order to contain the fire that broke out on Sunday afternoon on the island of Chios.
HDN Newsroom
Some 190 firefighters, supported by six aircraft, are engaged in efforts to contain the blazes in the northeastern Aegean Sea.
Their primary objective is to prevent the flames from reaching residential areas and regions vital for the production of mastiha, a natural resin harvested from mastic trees.
However, their efforts have been significantly complicated by strong gusts of wind throughout Monday, according to a Greek fire brigade official.
The fires have already consumed swathes of forest and pasture land, forcing dozens of villagers to flee their homes for safety.
The widespread destruction has also led to power cuts.
Helicopters started dropping water at first light, while additional firefighting forces arrived by boat from the port of Piraeus. Specifically, 190 firefighters were operating on the island, including 11 groups of pedestrian units, 38 vehicles and four aircraft.
Strong winds were blowing in the area.
The fire broke out around 11:40 in the Kofinas area and proved hard to manage due to very strong winds. The Fire Department said that three different fires broke out, at one-hour intervals, at Kofinas, Aghia Anna, and Aghios Makarios Vrontadou.
Through the emergency number 112, sent at various intervals since midday, a dozen communities have been evacuated.
