Many Greeks worldwide have already heard the news and seen the devastating videos: approximately 40,000 hectares of land in Chios have been scorched by wildfires. The official story is that a Georgian housemaid (who has now been arrested) unintentionally caused the blaze by throwing out a cigarette that was still lit, but many locals from Chios and Greeks all across the Diaspora express historical skepticism about the true cause of these fires.
This is far from the first time that reports of suspicious activity surrounding wildfires have flooded Greek and international headlines. And, along with reporting on development surrounding the containment and response to the fires, one needn’t look too hard to find whispers of conspiracy and foul play. Chios, of course, is an island that is less than 1,000 kilometers from Turkey.
What’s more, Turkey has claimed ownership of Chios throughout history, and maintains its ownership claims despite the island’s liberation during the First Balkan War in 1912. Turkey, in fact, contests the sovereignty of multiple Aegean islands outside the Turkish coast.
Greece declared an official state of emergency on June 26, 2025 in response to the fires in Chios.
Regarding this particular wildfire, the Georgian woman reportedly at fault was seen by witnesses throwing a lit cigarette into brush that ultimately set the island ablaze. However, there were five official “fronts” of the wildfire that authorities continue to fight to contain. This begs the obvious question – if the Georgian woman ignited the first front, who (or what) caused the other four?
Periodic wildfires have wreaked havoc on Chios’ primary export: Mastic, a tree sap that almost exclusively grows on the island. In 2012, approximately half of the Mastic tree population was decimated by wildfires, disrupting the world’s supply and crippling Chios’ economic viability.
Unfortunately, news of wildfires is nothing new to Greek airwaves in the hot summer months, as dry weather and strong winds make containment difficult. Members of KTE were in Athens during the August 2021 fires, which engulfed the city in black smoke and coincided with a high of 47.1 °C (116.8 °F). Three people died and 20 more were injured as a result of those wildfires.
Let us close with earnest prayers for Chios and a reminder that Greeks are naturally suspicious people – of the government, of foul play, and of anything that might threaten their safety or precious fatherland. KTE is dedicated to reporting on matters of life or death to the Greek people and members of the Diaspora, and we stand united in prayer and action for the residents of Chios and all of Greece.