Five Wildfires Lead to Evacuations, Destroyed Homes on Greek Island
Michelle Milliken
Multiple wildfires that sparked within the span of two days have been raging on a Greek island this week, and you’re helping us aid those impacted.
Chios – a popular tourist destination with unique natural features that’s also home to more than 50,000 people – has been hit by five wildfires that started Sunday and Monday. With strong wilds and hot conditions, the flames quickly spread, leading to evacuations from 17 different communities.

Though the more than 400 firefighters fighting these blazes have gotten the upper hand, many homes have been destroyed or damaged, infrastructure damages have led to power outages, crops have been impacted, and water supply issues have also been reported.
There’s also concern at least some of the fires may been started by people, so authorities have launched an arson investigation.

Giannis Kefalogiannis, Greek Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister, said Monday, “We are faced with simultaneous fires in multiple, geographically unconnected parts of the island — a pattern that cannot be considered coincidental.”
He added that authorities were “very seriously examining the possibility of an organized criminal act; in other words, arson.”
Thanks to your clicks, trivia participation, shopping for a cause, and direct donations, our partner Greater Good Charities is responding to help victims of the fire. That includes providing emergency supplies like pet food and supporting organizations helping impacted wildlife. We're also sending blankets to help provide comfort.

GGC is no stranger to responding to increasingly worse wildfires in Greece. You can read about some of the wildlife whose care you helped support last year here.
With a disrupted tourism industry, destroyed homes, evacuees in limbo, and wildlife caught up the fires, aid is greatly needed. If you’d like to help further, click below!