Locations Affected: Greece
Wildfires in Greece have forced hundreds of people to evacuate from Chios Island and have caused widespread damage to infrastructure, forests, and farmland. Three wildfires began on 22 June in the areas of Kofinas, Agia Anna, and Agios Makarios, followed by two more fires in Agios Markos and Agiasmata on 23 June. Strong winds in the region have intensified the wildfires and are hindering firefighting operations. Investigations into the cause of the fires are ongoing. These are the first major wildfires reported in Greece during the 2025 summer season.
Worsening Wildfire Conditions in Greece
Wildfires occur frequently in Greece during the hot and dry summer months, June to August. Experts have also raised concerns about the impact of climate change on the intensity of wildfires. In anticipation of worsening conditions in 2025, authorities in Greece hired over 18,000 firefighters, increased fire patrols, and allocated more than EUR two billion for new fire detection technology.
Impact of the Wildfires
- A state of emergency was declared on 24 June to allow centralized coordination of emergency resources and facilitate international assistance. Evacuation orders were issued for at least 16 villages and settlements on Chios Island.
- More than 400 firefighters and 14 aircraft have been deployed to contain the fires. Reinforcements have also been sent from Athens, Thessaloniki, and Lesbos.
- On 23 June, Greece’s Minister of Climate Crisis stated that authorities are considering the possibility of organized arson due to the simultaneous outbreaks in multiple, geographically unconnected parts of the island. Consequently, police forces and military patrols have been increased.
- Damage to the local power grid has caused outages in the Vrontados area. Planned power cuts have also been implemented to support firefighting operations. The fires have additionally resulted in water supply disruptions.
Weather Forecast and Potential Disruptions
Temperatures in Chios have reached around 30 degrees Celsius and are expected to rise in the coming days. Dry weather and strong winds are likely to persist, potentially leading to further spread and intensification of the fires. Smoke and ash from the wildfires are expected to cause or worsen cardiorespiratory issues, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and pregnant individuals. Depending on wind direction, wildfire smoke could also affect air quality in Athens and Izmir, Turkey. Additional damage to utility infrastructure may exacerbate disruptions to power and water supply in affected areas. Authorities are likely to impose further travel restrictions and evacuation orders based on wildfire developments. Organizations are advised to monitor real-time updates and prepare appropriate contingency plans.
