By M10News Europe Desk | © M10News 2025
Greek police have arrested a woman in connection with the wildfires that scorched thousands of acres of land on the island of Chios this week.
The blazes erupted on Sunday, tearing through approximately 10,000 acres of mainly scrubland and pasture over three days, according to Greece’s climate crisis and civil protection ministry.
A statement from the fire brigade confirmed that a Georgian national was taken into custody on Tuesday night as investigations into the cause of the fires continue.
The woman has been charged with unintentional arson, Reuters reported, citing two fire brigade officials who said witnesses allegedly saw her drop a lit cigarette.
The fires have since been largely contained, but hundreds of firefighters remain on the island to prevent smouldering embers from reigniting the blaze, the fire brigade added.
On Tuesday, Greek authorities declared a state of emergency on Chios and issued evacuation orders as towering flames swept through forests and farmland.
Firefighting reinforcements were dispatched from Athens, Thessaloniki, and the nearby island of Lesbos to support local crews.
In total, 444 firefighters with 85 vehicles were deployed to the scene, backed by 11 helicopters and two water-dropping aircraft.
An arson investigation team has also been sent to Chios to determine the precise cause of the fires.
Wildfires are a recurring threat during Greece’s hot, dry summers, but officials warn that the impacts of climate change are fuelling more intense and destructive blazes.
The Greek government has paid hundreds of millions of euros in compensation for damage caused by extreme weather events and invested heavily in upgrading firefighting equipment.
Authorities have also increased the number of firefighters to a record 18,000 this year in preparation for a challenging fire season.
International reinforcements, including 294 firefighters from five European countries, are supporting Greek crews from July through mid-September.
As reported by M10news.
