Many firefighters were at work, backed by an aircraft, as they battled a wildfire burning out of control for the third day on the eastern Aegean island of Chios on Tuesday. Authorities have issued multiple evacuation orders for people living around the forest as the fire started to reach agricultural land on the island. The authorities have also declared a state of emergency and sent firefighting reinforcements from Athens, the northern city of Thessaloniki, and the nearby island of Lesbos.

As of Tuesday morning, the fire department said that a total of 444 firefighters in 85 vehicles were tracking the blaze.

Current Situation

Residents of seven communities on the Greek island have been evacuated, and an investigation has been launched into what caused the fire in such a short amount of time. Five separate wildfires are burning and being fanned by strong winds. Three of them broke out on Saturday in the areas of Kofinas, Agia Anna, and Agios Makarios, while the fourth blaze erupted shortly after midnight in Agios Markos, and the fifth one on Monday morning in Agiasmata.

The fire has already damaged houses, crops, and infrastructure on the Greek island. Pictures from the island suggest that locals are trying to help firefighters by throwing buckets of water on the flames and using cloth to douse small patches of fire. Local media has also reported extensive damage to at least one distillery and some residential houses, with residents still finding it difficult to return and assess the damage.