Greek Prime Minister Warns of Dangerous Summer as Wildfires Sweep Aegean Islands

Firefighters are battling wildfires on the Aegean islands of Chios and Kos. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned of a dangerous summer ahead, emphasizing public cooperation to limit wildfire damage. Emergency services have issued evacuation orders as strong winds and hot weather are expected to exacerbate conditions.

Firefighters are in a race against time to tackle wildfires that erupted on the eastern Aegean islands of Chios and Kos on Monday. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has warned of a perilous summer season ahead, underlining the crucial role of public cooperation in mitigating the impact of these wildfires.

Evacuation orders were issued for residents in the Metohi area of western Chios, instructing them to move to a nearby beach for safety. Meanwhile, on the southern Aegean island of Kos, 20 firefighters, a helicopter, and volunteers are working together to combat a brush fire located in the center of the island.

These incidents come a day after strong winds helped firefighters contain two large forest fires near Athens. Prime Minister Mitsotakis noted that June has seen exceptionally challenging weather conditions, with high levels of drought and unseasonably strong winds, predicting that this summer will be particularly dangerous for wildfires.

Mitsotakis acknowledged the effectiveness of drones as part of an early warning system and credited enhanced coordination between authorities and volunteer firefighters for minimizing fire damage so far. He emphasized that public support is crucial for prevention as the country enters the "tough core" of the wildfire season. Last year, devastating wildfires in Greece resulted in more than 20 fatalities. This summer is expected to be highly susceptible to wildfires following a mild, dry winter.

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