The wildfire on the Greek island of Chios continues for a third consecutive day, with an estimated 62,000 stremmas (approximately 15,300 acres) of land scorched. The island remains under a state of emergency, which is set to remain in effect until July 22.

Overnight Evacuations as Flames Approach Villages

Throughout the night, residents received multiple emergency evacuation alerts via the 112 emergency system. One message, issued just after midnight, warned those in the village of Lithi to evacuate immediately toward the Neochori community hall, as the fire threatened the area. Similar alerts had already been issued earlier for the villages of Ververato, Zifias, and Lithi itself.

The village of Lithi remains at high risk, with flames reported just 300 meters from the first homes, according to a state broadcaster’s correspondent on the ground. Narrow roads in the area are making it difficult for large fire trucks to access the village, further complicating firefighting efforts.

In a sobering illustration of the fire’s intensity, smoke has traveled hundreds of kilometers and is visible as far south as Crete.

High Winds Continue to Fuel the Blaze

Strong winds, which have been a persistent challenge since the fire began, are expected to continue for the next two to three days, with gusts reaching 6 to 7 on the Beaufort scale, according to meteorologists. These conditions make aerial and ground operations significantly more difficult and increase the likelihood of flare-ups and the spread of embers across large distances.

Firefighting Forces Reinforced

Currently, more than 280 firefighters are deployed on the island, and an additional 160 are expected to arrive soon. Aerial firefighting operations resumed at first light, with water-dropping aircraft targeting critical hotspots. Despite their efforts, the fire has already damaged agricultural land, including the island’s precious mastic trees—a unique crop for which Chios is internationally known.

Infrastructure Damage: Power and Water Supply Affected

Local authorities report that power is gradually being restored in some areas. However, in regions where electricity pylons have been completely destroyed, restoration will take longer and require new infrastructure to be installed. The destruction has also affected water supply networks, leaving some communities without access to water.