Greek Islands Brace for “Dangerous Summer” as Wildfires Rage in Chios and Kos

Chios and Kos, Greece – Firefighters are battling blazes on the Greek islands of Chios and Kos, prompting evacuations and raising concerns about what is predicted to be a brutal wildfire season.

On Chios, emergency services issued urgent evacuation orders for residents of the Metohi area, directing them to a safe haven on a nearby beach. Simultaneously, on the island of Kos, a dedicated team of 20 firefighters, a helicopter, and volunteers are working tirelessly to contain a brush fire that ignited in the island’s center.

These latest fires come after an exceptionally challenging June marked by high temperatures, severe drought, and unusually strong winds, according to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. During a Cabinet meeting, he cautioned that these conditions foreshadow a “particularly dangerous” summer for wildfires.

Despite the challenges, Mitsotakis highlighted the effectiveness of drones in providing early warnings and praised the improved coordination between authorities and volunteer firefighters for limiting fire damage so far. He stressed, however, that public vigilance and preventative measures will be crucial in navigating the peak of the wildfire season.

This year’s heightened risk follows a worryingly mild and dry winter, creating tinderbox conditions across the region. Last year, devastating wildfires tragically claimed the lives of over 20 people in Greece, underscoring the potential for widespread destruction.