Greece declared a state of emergency on the island of Chios on Monday due to large wildfires that have been burning since the weekend.
Civil Protection Minister Ioannis Kefalogiannis said the move was necessary to enable authorities to “swiftly implement all required measures.”
Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis urged residents to remain extremely cautious and to strictly adhere to official guidelines.
Located in the northern Aegean Sea, Chios Greece’s fifth-largest island is currently battling five separate fire outbreaks. According to the fire service, around 190 firefighters, 38 fire engines, 12 helicopters, and four water-dropping aircraft have been deployed to contain the flames.
Kefalogiannis, who visited the island, noted that strong winds reaching force six on the Beaufort scale were complicating firefighting efforts.
On Sunday, hundreds of asylum seekers were relocated from a reception center, while seven villages were evacuated on Monday for safety.
