Wildfires rage through Greek island where dozens were forced to flee homes
A massive wildfire is threatening to devastate parts of the Greek island of Chios after picking up force overnight.
What began yesterday as three separate fires near the island's main town, also called Chios, has combined into one huge blaze after being fanned by strong winds.
Dozens of people living in affected villages are said to have fled their homes, a number set to climb rapidly after authorities sent text messages to several villages urging everyone to evacuate.
All 100 of the island's firefighters were called into action but faced being overwhelmed, so Greek mainland authorities sent another 90 by ship.
They were assisted by ten helicopters and two airplanes which dropped water on the fires until nightfall.
Many people living in areas which aren't currently under direct threat have reportedly suffered power cuts.
Areas of woodland caught fire as well as farmland, threatening the livelihoods of many of the island's 51,000 residents.
Chios, located in the eastern Aegean, is known for producing mastiha, a resin used in a variety of food products in the reason.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Many local farmers rely on the tree it's tapped from as well as olive trees, both of which are highly vulnerable to fires. More Trending
In 2016 wildfires caused 'catastrophic' damage to the island, tearing through 3,500 hectares and destroying around 90% of mastic trees in some areas.
Wildfires are frequent in Greece and its islands during the summer, but officials say climate change has increased their size and frequency.
More than 100 people died in 2018 after a huge fire devastated the mainland seaside town of Mati.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
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Nearly 200 firefighters are battling a major wildfire on the Greek island of Chios. The fire started on Sunday in three separate locations near the main town, which is also called Chios. The flames were fanned by strong winds and turned into one large blaze. Local media footage and photos showed firefighters battling towering flames burning through woodland and farmland as night fell. Power cuts have also been reported. Greek authorities sent fresh evacuation notifications for two areas near Chios town on Monday morning. Push alerts have been sent to mobile phones in the area urging people to evacuate a total of 16 villages, settlements and neighbourhoods on the outskirts of the town. "The situation remains critical as firefighting forces are still dealing with many active fronts, several of which being near hamlets," a Greek government spokesman said. The fire department said 190 firefighters were trying to control the fire on Monday, with strong winds hampering their efforts. Some 35 vehicles, five helicopters and two water-dropping planes were also involved in the effort. A specialist fire department arson investigation team has been sent to the eastern Aegean island to look into the causes. Wildfires are common during Greece's hot, dry summers but authorities have said climate change is fuelling bigger and more frequent blazes. Last year, hundreds of tourists and residents were forced to flee wildfires on the holiday island of Kos.
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Metro
9 hours ago
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Wildfires rage through Greek island where dozens were forced to flee homes
A massive wildfire is threatening to devastate parts of the Greek island of Chios after picking up force overnight. What began yesterday as three separate fires near the island's main town, also called Chios, has combined into one huge blaze after being fanned by strong winds. Dozens of people living in affected villages are said to have fled their homes, a number set to climb rapidly after authorities sent text messages to several villages urging everyone to evacuate. All 100 of the island's firefighters were called into action but faced being overwhelmed, so Greek mainland authorities sent another 90 by ship. They were assisted by ten helicopters and two airplanes which dropped water on the fires until nightfall. Many people living in areas which aren't currently under direct threat have reportedly suffered power cuts. Areas of woodland caught fire as well as farmland, threatening the livelihoods of many of the island's 51,000 residents. Chios, located in the eastern Aegean, is known for producing mastiha, a resin used in a variety of food products in the reason. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Many local farmers rely on the tree it's tapped from as well as olive trees, both of which are highly vulnerable to fires. More Trending In 2016 wildfires caused 'catastrophic' damage to the island, tearing through 3,500 hectares and destroying around 90% of mastic trees in some areas. Wildfires are frequent in Greece and its islands during the summer, but officials say climate change has increased their size and frequency. More than 100 people died in 2018 after a huge fire devastated the mainland seaside town of Mati. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Man charged with murder over death of 'wonderful' mum in gas explosion MORE: Woman dies after fire breaks out in hostel in north London MORE: Family pays tribute to mum killed before house was blown up
