Massive wildfire on Greek island of Chios sparks evacuations — 'situation remains critical'

Smoke rises as firefighting teams fight back against the spreading blaze (Picture: Anadolu)

A massive wildfire is threatening to devastate parts of the Greek island of Chios after picking up force overnight.

What began 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 living in affected villages are said to have fled their homes,a number set to climb 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.

‘The situation remains critical as firefighting forces are still dealing with many active fronts,several of which being near hamlets,’ Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said.

Three separate fires began on Sunday and have since turned into a single huge inferno (Picture: Anadolu)

The fire could devastate the island’s main crop trees if not tamed soon (Picture: Anadolu)

A firefighting plane drops water over fires near a village on Sunday (Picture: EPA)

Chios,in the eastern Aegean,is in an area prone to summer wildfires

They were assisted by 11 aircraft 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.

Evacuation orders have been issued to several villages (Picture: AP)

Firefighters battle with an inferno in the Kofinas area (Picture: AP)

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.

Is it safe to travel to Greece amid wildfires?

The UK Foreign Office has not shared travel advice regarding the wildfires on Chios,which is Greece’s fifth largest island.

Generally,the FCDO says lighting fires in Greece is both dangerous and illegal due to the risk of wildfires,which ignite almost every summer.

Official guidance asks travellers to pick up litter and ensure cigarettes are properly extinguished.

In terms of flights,no routes have been cancelled. Package holidays to the Greek islands are also operating as normal.