2 500 ha (6 200 acres) scorched in multi-front wildfire on Chios Island, Greece

A large wildfire on the Greek island of Chios burned over 2 500 ha (6 200 acres) of forest and farmland from 22 to 24, 2025, prompting evacuations in over 16 settlements as fire fronts advanced toward residential areas and mastiha-producing zones. A Georgian national was arrested on suspicion of negligent arson after discarding a cigarette near Leptopoda.

A large wildfire broke out on the island of Chios, northeastern Aegean, around midday on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Multiple ignition points were reported near Kofinas, Agia Anna, Agios Makarios, and Leptopoda, and they rapidly expanded into fast-moving fronts, driven by strong northerly winds exceeding 50 km/h (31 mph).

By June 24, the Copernicus Emergency Management Service confirmed a total burned area of 2 500 ha (6 200 acres). This figure represents roughly one-thirteenth of the island’s total surface and includes forest, scrubland, and agricultural zones.

Greek authorities issued a state of emergency for the island. As of June 25, 16 villages were officially evacuated following 112 emergency alerts, including Vessa, Zifias, Ververatos, Karyes, Agios Georgios Sikousis, and Lithi.

Local reports suggest that up to 20 settlements may have been affected due to overnight evacuation orders and spot fire activity. Confirmed damage includes burned homes, vehicles, and power infrastructure.

The firefighting operation involved 444 personnel, 85 ground vehicles, 6 helicopters, and 2 water-bombing planes. Reinforcements were deployed from Athens, Thessaloniki, Piraeus, Kavala, and Lesvos, with volunteer teams and military equipment supporting operations. Fire crews concentrated efforts near Vessa, Zifias, and the Anydros plateau to contain advancing fronts.

One of the fire lines approached the periphery of the island’s economically vital Mastichochoria, villages that cultivate Pistacia lentiscus, the source of mastiha resin. Local officials stated that while some mastiha trees were affected, the core production areas were preserved.

On June 24, a Georgian domestic worker was arrested and charged with negligent arson after she admitted discarding a cigarette in Leptopoda. Witnesses observed her attempting to extinguish it with her foot. The Directorate for Arson Crime Investigation (DAEE) and State Security officers confirmed the presence of multiple ignition points and recovered gasoline containers at one site.

By the evening of June 25, most fire fronts were reported as extinguished or under control, though authorities warned of flare-ups due to continued strong winds, forecast to persist at 6–7 Beaufort (50–60 km/h) for several days.

The Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection confirmed that Greek and EU forces remain on alert as the country enters peak fire season. Greece has mobilized over 18 000 personnel nationwide, and a further 294 firefighting specialists from European states are expected to arrive in July as part of an EU Civil Protection Mechanism deployment.

References:

¹ Greece arrests Georgian suspected of fuelling Chios fire with cigarette – Reuters – June 25, 2025

² Greek island of Chios declares emergency as wildfires rage for second day – Reuters – June 24, 2025

Featured image credit: Volcaholic

Reet Kaur

I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.

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