A major wildfire has placed the eastern Aegean island of Chios in a state of emergency, as multiple fire fronts burn uncontrollably, forcing evacuations, damaging homes, and disrupting essential infrastructure. The Greek Civil Protection Authority has officially declared the municipality of Chios under a State of Civil Protection Emergency until July 22, 2025.
As of Monday afternoon, 17 villages have been evacuated across the island, with reports confirming that at least four to five homes have been destroyed in the village of Pafylida. Although much of the area has suffered extensive damage, local firefighters successfully protected the historic Monastery of Saint Mark.
The fire, which broke out on Sunday, quickly spread across multiple locations, including two active fronts near the town of Chios, one in the north of the island, and another advancing dangerously toward the island’s southern region known as Mastichochoria. This southern area is renowned for producing mastiha, a natural resin unique to Chios and vital to its local economy and heritage.
Firemen work to extinguish a wildfire, fanned by strong winds, which led to evacuation messages for villages, near the village of Karyes on Chios island, Greece, June 22, 2025. REUTERS/Kostas Anagnostou
Despite reinforcements arriving from mainland cities such as Thessaloniki and Athens, the blaze remains largely out of control. A force of 190 firefighters is currently deployed, including 11 specialized ground units, supported by 38 vehicles, four aircraft, and several helicopters. A mobile operations center, code-named “Olympus,” is also on-site coordinating firefighting efforts. Assistance has also been provided by the Greek Army and local government agencies using water trucks and heavy machinery.
Wind and Infrastructure Challenges
Strong winds continue to hamper containment efforts and have prompted Greece’s Civil Protection agency to issue repeated evacuation alerts via the emergency number 112 since Sunday. The fire has significantly impacted electricity supply in the greater Vrontados area, north of Chios Town, where the power grid has been damaged. A specialized repair team has been dispatched from the neighboring island of Lesvos.
In addition to power outages, there are disruptions in water supply and damage to public and private infrastructure. Around Chios Town, farmland has been scorched, and several residential properties have reported damage to yards and exterior structures.
Arson Investigation Underway
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fires amid suspicions of arson, as three separate fire fronts ignited almost simultaneously. A special team from the Fire Department’s Arson Crimes Unit (DAEE) arrived on the island Sunday evening and is now working in coordination with the national police to examine the origins of the blaze.
The head of the Greek Fire Service, Lieutenant General Theodoros Vagias, ordered the investigation, underscoring the seriousness of the situation and the need for accountability.
A Strained Island Under Threat
As firefighting efforts intensify and investigations continue, the island of Chios remains under significant threat.
