Firefighters continued on Monday to battle three main blazes that broke out nearly concurrently on the Greek island of Chios for the second day in a row.
So far, 17 villages and a migrant reception heart have been evacuated on the Aegean island close to the Turkish coast.
Hundreds of individuals have been delivered to security. According to stories from Monday, vacationers should not at present in danger.
Greek media reported that robust winds proceed to fan the flames and make the firefighters’ work harder.
According to the native authorities, nearly 200 firefighters with 38 hearth engines and quite a few helicopters and aeroplanes had been deployed to assist douse the flames.
Additional reinforcements have arrived by boat from the mainland. Videos shared by the native news portal politischios.gr confirmed flames sweeping throughout components of the island.
Beyond the menace to properties, residents are involved in regards to the island’s distinctive mastic groves. The Pistacia lentiscus plant, which produces the precious resin referred to as mastic, grows solely within the southern a part of Chios.
Mastic is utilized in chewing gum, liqueurs, desserts, cosmetics and medication – and it’s a important a part of the native economic system.
A serious hearth in 2012 destroyed almost half of the groves, with devastating results on livelihoods.
An area official informed the ERT news channel that it’s unlikely the fires began by chance. The near-simultaneous outbreak of a number of fires suggests deliberate arson. Investigators are on the scene.
Experts word that the majority wildfires in Greece every summer time are attributable to human exercise – both via negligence or intentional acts. Arrests are uncommon and few perpetrators are ever recognized.
Source: www.dailysabah.com