Flames forced entire villages to flee on the Greek island of Chios this weekend, as relentless wildfires swept through the popular summer destination. According to state media, three separate fires broke out Sunday in the areas of Kofina, Agia Anna, and Agios Makarios Vrontadon, per the New York Times, forcing the evacuation of 16 villages, settlements, and neighborhoods, Euronews reports. The Hellenic Fire Service deployed 190 firefighters initially, with another 170 set to arrive Monday. Thirteen helicopters and four planes were also brought in to help contain the blazes as extreme heat and strong winds turned large parts of the island into a "tinderbox," per the Times.
Chios, a popular tourist destination, typically sees an influx of visitors during wildfire season, which coincides with the hot, dry Greek summer. Greece's Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Giannis Kefalogiannis, said the situation remained challenging with new fire fronts and unfavorable weather conditions, per the Times. Greek authorities have increased their wildfire response in recent years, deploying record numbers of firefighters and investing in new technology such as thermal imaging drones. Despite these measures, officials report that both the number and severity of wildfires are rising, a trend many link to climate change. (This content was created with the help of AI. Read our AI policy.)
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