ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Firefighters battled wildfires that broke out on the eastern Aegean islands of Chios and Kos Monday and injured five people, as Greece’s prime minister warned of a dangerous summer ahead and said the public’s help was essential in limiting the impact of wildfires.
Emergency services issued evacuation orders for those in the Metohi area of western Chios on Monday morning, urging them to head to a nearby beach. By the evening, more than 140 firefighters, along with eight teams of firefighters specializing in wildfires, seven water-dropping planes and three helicopters were fighting the blaze.
Fire department spokesman Vasilis Vathrakoyiannis said two firefighters had been lightly injured, while dozens more firefighters were heading to the island by boat from the nearby island of Lesbos and from Athens. State-run ERT television later reported that another two firefighters and a volunteer had suffered non life-threatening burns.
“The situation remains difficult in Chios, and all Civil Protection forces will make great efforts to limit it,” Vathrakoyiannis said during an evening briefing.
Another fire broke out further to the south in the Aegean, on the resort island of Kos, and by late Monday had forced the evacuation of several people, including tourists from hotels, as a precaution. That blaze was being tackled by more than 100 firefighters, including reinforcements sent from Athens, as well as six water-dropping planes and two helicopters, Vathrakoyiannis added.
In total, Greece saw 52 wildfires breaking out in the previous 24-hour period, 44 of which were tackled in the early stages, Vathrakoyiannis said. Authorities were still battling a total of eight fires by Monday evening.
The blazes come a day after the fire department managed to tame two large forest fires near Athens that had been fanned by strong winds.
“We have had an exceptionally difficult June regarding weather conditions, with high levels of drought and unusually strong winds for this season,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Monday during a Cabinet meeting. This year’s summer, he said, “is predicted to be particularly dangerous” for wildfires.
Mitsotakis said the use of drones as part of an early warning system for wildfires had been particularly useful this year and credited better coordination between authorities and volunteer firefighters for limiting the extent of fire damage so far.
“We are entering the tough core of the anti-fire period, and this will certainly not be won without the help of the public as well, particularly in the field of prevention,” Mitsotakis said.
Hot, dry weather combined with strong winds helped fan fires in both Greece and Turkey last month. This year’s summer is expected to be particularly prone to blazes following a particularly mild, dry winter. Last year, extensive wildfires in Greece killed more than 20 people.
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Rephrased content:
Firefighters in Greece were working to contain wildfires on the islands of Chios and Kos, which broke out on Monday and resulted in five injuries. The Prime Minister of Greece highlighted the need for public assistance in mitigating the impact of wildfires as the country braces for a challenging summer. The fire department issued evacuation orders for the Metohi area in western Chios, where more than 140 firefighters, supported by specialized wildfire teams, planes, and helicopters, were combating the blaze. Two firefighters sustained minor injuries, with additional firefighting personnel dispatched to assist.
A separate fire erupted on the island of Kos in the Aegean, prompting precautionary evacuations that included tourists from hotels. Over 100 firefighters, along with air support, were deployed to tackle this blaze. Greece experienced a total of 52 wildfires within a 24-hour period, with eight fires still active by Monday evening. The recent wildfires follow the containment of two large forest fires near Athens.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis pointed out the challenges posed by extreme weather conditions in June, characterized by drought and strong winds, creating a high risk of wildfires this summer. The government has utilized drones for early wildfire detection, stressing the importance of collaboration between authorities and volunteer firefighters in limiting fire damage. Mitsotakis emphasized the crucial role of public participation in fire prevention efforts.
Unfavorable weather conditions, including hot, dry weather and strong winds, have contributed to wildfires in Greece and Turkey, with this summer expected to be particularly vulnerable due to a mild, dry winter. Last year, Greece experienced devastating wildfires that claimed over 20 lives.
