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Chios wildfire: Island declares state of emergency as blazes rage

Chios has been declared in a State of Civil Protection Emergency by decision of the General Secretary of Civil Protection, to address urgent needs and manage consequences arising from the forest fires. The declaration will…

Chios wildfire: Island declares state of emergency as blazes rage
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Chios has been declared in a State of Civil Protection Emergency by decision of the General Secretary of Civil Protection, to address urgent needs and manage consequences arising from the forest fires. The declaration will remain in effect for one month. The request to activate the mechanism was submitted today, Monday, June 23, by the Municipality of Chios, in order to address the emergency needs and consequences of the fire fronts that have been raging since yesterday in various areas of the island.

Read: Chios fire: Monastery of Saint Mark burns

For 1 full day now, firefighters and residents have been battling the fires in Chios. Winds are still blowing stormy up to 6 Beaufort and despite the help of firefighting forces that arrived on the island in the evening from Thessaloniki and Athens, the flames continue to burn uncontrollably.

Chios fire: Emergency visit by Climate Crisis Minister

The Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Giannis Kefalogiannis, is traveling urgently to Chios by helicopter, as the situation on the island remains extremely critical. He will personally supervise the coordination operation from the mobile operational center “Olympos”, which is being set up in the Agios Artemios area, in order to enhance the effectiveness of firefighting.

As the fire rages in Chios since early Sunday afternoon (22/6), a message from 112 was sent shortly before 9 this morning for the Dafnonas area, while a little earlier and specifically around 6 o’clock, 112 called those in the Resta area to evacuate towards the city of Chios, while a little later the evacuation of residents of Agia Paraskevi Karyon was requested. Residents of another settlement were called to move via 112, as the fires continue to be uncontrolled. This concerns the settlement of Agios Markos Vrontadou, as one of the three fires that broke out on the island is at close distance, while strong north winds continue to blow.

Read: Chios fire rages: Three houses burned in Karyes – New 112 messages

According to what the Mayor of Chios, Giannis Malafis, told Radio “A”, the main fire fronts are in Dafnonas, Agios Markos Karyon and Kofinas. Conditions continue to be difficult.

Chios fire rages: Three houses burned in Karyes

The night that passed was particularly difficult, with authorities in a state of highest alert. According to the first reports from SKAI on Monday morning, at least three residences in Karyes, Chios were burned by the flames. It is reminded that three separate forest fires broke out on Sunday afternoon in the areas of Kofinas, Agia Anna and Agios Makarios. The strong winds blowing in the area significantly hamper firefighting efforts, making the work of firefighting forces particularly demanding.

As announced by the Fire Service, forces are operating in a huge perimeter with several fire outbreaks, while winds blowing in the area remain strong. Aerial means began water drops with the first light of day, while forces that were traveling by ferry from Piraeus have also arrived on the island.

Specifically, 190 firefighters are operating including 11 hiking section teams, 38 vehicles as well as 4 aerial means which are expected to be reinforced. Additionally, the Mobile Operations Center “OLYMPOS” is located in Chios, while water tankers and construction machinery of the Greek Army and Local Government (OTA) provide assistance to the firefighting effort.

Watch video from the evacuation order in Dafnonas, while the village bells can be heard ringing:

@parapolitika Εντολή εκκένωσης στον Δαφνώνα, χτυπούν οι καμπάνες του χωριού #parapolitikagr #tiktokgreece #greece #chios #wildfires ♬ original sound – Parapolitika.gr

Chios fire: New 112 alert Monday morning

A new message from 112 was sent shortly after 6 Monday morning to island residents warning of a forest fire in the Agios Makarios area. “If you are in the area, evacuate towards Vrontadou beach,” the message emphasizes.

A little later the evacuation of residents of Agia Paraskevi Karyon was requested.

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