Wildfires continued to sweep through the Greek island of Chios for a third day in a row on Tuesday, triggering mass evacuations and straining firefighting crews as the area is kept under a state of emergency.

More than 400 firefighters, assisted by 14 helicopters and four waterbombing aircraft, were sent to fight numerous blazes on the north Aegean island. The fires have already ravaged vast tracts of forest and agricultural land, endangering local villages as well as the island’s critical agricultural output specifically the famous mastic trees for producing mastiha, a natural resin.

Efforts were focused around the village of Agios Giorgios Sikousis, where fire swept toward residential quarters. “The fire was near the houses,” said local resident Stamatis Zeonidis, adding that volunteers were instrumental in keeping it at bay.

Airplanes regularly bombed burning vegetation with water as dense smoke filled the skies. Crews also battled to preserve olive tree groves along the highway. “There are active fronts everywhere and many villages in jeopardy,” stated volunteer Antonis Mikoudis. “We quit work to assist. We think that we can still keep it under control.”

Another volunteer, Ioannis Psilos, called the experience “terrifying” but was optimistic that the blaze would not extend further south.

New evacuation warnings were issued for villages southwest of Chios Town, the island’s capital, as northerly winds continued to hamper containment efforts. “The situation remains critical,” an anonymous fire brigade official reported to Reuters.

Wildfires are a constant danger in Greece’s hot, arid summers, but authorities have blamed rising frequency and intensity of recent blazes on climate change. In anticipation of a projected harsh fire season, the Greek government has contracted a record 18,000 firefighters and budgeted hundreds of millions of euros for disaster aid and enhanced firefighting equipment.