Australian aviation company McDermott Aviation has joined the fight against devastating wildfires sweeping across the Greek island of Chios, deploying seven specialised firefighting helicopters to assist Hellenic authorities in what has become a multi-day emergency response effort.
McDermott Aviation, headquartered in Queensland, confirmed in a statement to The Greek Herald that its aerial units have been active for three consecutive days, battling blazes that have erupted across various parts of the island, including near the main township, in the north, and most recently along the west coast. The company is also operating a logistics helicopter to transport vital parts and rotate crew.
“We are proud to support the Hellenic authorities and local emergency services in protecting communities, infrastructure, and the natural environment during this ongoing crisis,” McDermott said in the statement.
McDermott helicopters have also fought fires at Schinias beach in Greece on June 16. Photo supplied.
Chios has been declared in a state of emergency as the fires continue to rage across forest and agricultural land. Greek officials reported that more than 444 firefighters with 85 vehicles are now on the ground, assisted by 11 helicopters and two water-bombing planes, as well as army units and police reinforcements.
The island’s mayor, Yannis Malafis, said on Tuesday afternoon: “We continue to battle the wildfire. We cannot talk about a lull in the front. Things are still difficult.”
Firefighting efforts are currently concentrated in the region stretching from Agios Georgios to Vessa-Lithi. The situation in Lithi was described as “dramatic” by local community president Nektarios Kavakakis, who confirmed that tourists were forced to evacuate a hotel and that mastic crops and homes were damaged by flames.
So far, the fires have destroyed more than 65,000 acres of land. Authorities have issued multiple evacuation orders since Sunday, when the fires first broke out. An arson investigation team has been deployed to the island, as suspicions of deliberate ignition grow.
“We are faced with simultaneous fires in multiple, geographically unconnected parts of the island — a pattern that cannot be considered coincidental,” said Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Giannis Kefalogiannis. “We are very seriously examining the possibility of an organised criminal act.”
The addition of Australian air support underlines the escalating severity of the Chios wildfires and the global collaboration now aiding Greece’s fight against one of its worst wildfire outbreaks this year.
