Georgian Woman Arrested in Connection with Chios Wildfires

Greek authorities have detained a woman from Georgia who is believed to have accidentally started one of the wildfires devastating Chios Island by tossing away a cigarette. The wildfires erupted on Sunday, rapidly consuming approximately 10,000 acres of primarily brush and pastureland within just three days, prompting significant disruptions such as power outages and water shortages, along with damage to local property.

The arrest occurred on Tuesday night, and investigators are continuing to probe the incidents that led to the blazes. According to fire brigade officials, the woman has been charged with unintentional arson, as witnessed by those who saw her drop the cigarette. Although containment efforts made progress by Wednesday, many firefighters remained on the island to prevent any resurgence of the flames, particularly after evacuation orders were issued for residents in a coastal village following the sighting of thick white smoke nearby.

Greece's minister of climate crisis and civil protection, Yiannis Kefalogiannis, visited Chios and noted the persistently challenging situation, characterized by new fire outbreaks in various, unrelated areas of the island. He attributed the ongoing challenges to adverse climatic conditions that have exacerbated the wildfires, remarking on the alarming frequency and intensity of such events. In response to the rising wildfire threats in the region, local police forces are being bolstered, and the military’s patrols have been increased.

With its location at Europe’s southernmost point, Greece is particularly prone to summertime wildfires, a risk that has heightened due to climate change. The Greek government has invested heavily in firefighting infrastructure, allocating hundreds of millions of euros for weather-related damages and boosting firefighter numbers to a historic 18,000 for the current fire season. Additionally, assistance from hundreds of firefighters from other European nations is set to support local teams throughout the crucial summer months.