Wildfires rage through Greek island of Chios 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.

Many local farmers rely on the tree it’s tapped from as well as olive trees, both of which are highly vulnerable to fires.

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.

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