A giant fire raged on Greece's Chios Island over the weekend, prompting a state of emergency, evacuations of multiple villages, and an influx of firefighters. The wildfire was burning fiercely due to strong winds, and authorities as yet reported no fatalities but risk to homes, forests, and the iconic mastic resin trees has intensified.
/*Rapid Spread with Sustained Winds*/
Authorities report that the fire began in at least three locations, of which are Kofinas, Agia Anna, and Agios Makarios near Chios town on Sunday morning before merging into a massive fire that was raging over forest and agricultural land. A fourth blaze erupted shortly after midnight in Agios Markos, followed by a fifth front on Monday morning in Agiasmata. North winds aided in spreading the fire, which caused power outages and an evacuation alert for 16 villages.
/*Reinforcements and Aerial Support*/
Greece declared a state of emergency and sent out a record number of firefighters. Over 444 firefighters, 85 fire trucks, 11 helicopters, and two water-bombing planes are battling the fire at the moment. Athens, Thessaloniki, and Lesbos have provided crews and equipment.
While dozens of units and staff have been dispatched from Athens, Thessaloniki, and Lesbos, authorities caution "a lot of work is still needed" to fully put out the fire.
/*Villagers and Officials Speak Out*/
Locals have bravely gone in to help fight the fires. Resident Stamatis Zeonidis stated, "The fire came close to the houses," but members of the community were able to protect them. Volunteer Antonis Mikoudis told Reuters, "We quit work (to be here). We think we will be able to do something.".
Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Giannis Kefalogiannis stated that it is suspected to be arson, further stating that police and military patrols have increased, and the culprits would face serious legal consequences.
/*Recurrence, Casualties, and Cost*/
Wildfires are a natural, devastating Greek summer phenomenon. Chios suffered the same tragedy in August 2012 when 360 firefighters battled fires that gutted and torched mastic plantations. The Mati fire in Attica in 2018 took over 100 lives, demonstrating the deadly potential of wildfires.
Current fatalities – As of June 24, 2025, there have been no reported deaths in the Chios fire, with Reuters and AP. But past events are a bleak reminder of the high stakes.
Greece has ramped up fire-fighting budgets dramatically. As of May 1; official start of fire season, Athens hired a record 18,000 firefighters, and has spent hundreds of millions of euros on upgrading equipment, issuing emergency aid to households and farmers, and for reconstruction.
/*What Lies Ahead*/
Containment efforts are continuing despite strong winds. Additional resources including additional firefighters, vehicles, and air support will be needed over the next 48 hours, officials caution. Evacuation alerts remain for hamlets to the southwest of Chios town. Recovery funding is being provided to restore vital services, mastic production facilities, and support uprooted families.