Major fire on eastern Greek island of Chios

Major fire on eastern Greek island of Chios - Updated

Special to The National Herald

AP Photo/Icon Press
In this Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012 photo local residents and firefighting volunteers are seen holding makeshift fire beaters as a large forest blaze looms on the Greek eastern Aegean Sea island of Chios. Hundreds of firefighters, soldiers and volunteers were struggling for a third day Monday to tame a massive fire that burnt some 7,000 hectares of forest, cultivated land and groves of the island's famed mastic trees. Smoke from the blaze, which was swept on by gale-force winds, was carried as far as the southern island of Crete, more than 350 kilometers (230 miles) away.

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Hundreds of firefighters were battling a major forest fire on Greece's eastern Aegean island of Chios on Monday as it ravaged forests, agricultural land and groves of the island's famed mastic trees for the third day.

Gale-force winds were hampering efforts by about 360 firefighters, soldiers and volunteers, as well as firefighting planes, helicopters and 50 vehicles. Residents of nine villages and hamlets evacuated their homes over the weekend as a precaution.

The blaze broke out shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday morning and authorities said that by Monday it had destroyed about 7,000 hectares (16,000 acres) of forest and farmland. Smoke from the fire carried across the Aegean as far as the southern island of Crete, more than 350 kilometers (230 miles) away.

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August 18, 2012

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1. Nicholas Kostopoulos wrote on August 18, 2012 8:01 PM	The immobilization of the fire control on Chios, must be done ASAP I would put even the illegal aliens to help fight this fire. All help must be sent by the Greek government ASAP. Unfortunately this coming during the tourist season, will further decease badly needed tourist dollars. It seems that Greece can't even catch a break with the weather. My best for Greece.

2. Constantinos E. Scaros wrote on August 19, 2012 3:41 PM	Another horrible Greek fire, this time ravaging the beautiful beach town of Lithi, which I have visited many times. Why are there such fires in Greece every single year? Surely there must be a way to stop them.
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Friday, May 24, 2013 Last Update: 4:04 PM ET