Thursday is expected to be an extremely dangerous day in terms of wildfire risk across several regions in Greece, including Attica, Crete, Evia, parts of the Peloponnese, and the Northern Aegean islands. According to the Fire Danger Forecast Map issued by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection under the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr), a very high fire danger level (Category 4) has been forecasted for these areas.
The affected regions include:
– Attica Region (including the island of Kythira)
– Central Greece Region (Evia regional unit)
– Peloponnese Region (Corinthia, Argolis, Laconia, and Arcadia regional units)
– Northern Aegean Region (Lesbos, Chios, Samos, and Ikaria regional units)
– Crete Region
The General Secretariat for Civil Protection has alerted relevant authorities, local governments, and municipalities to maintain heightened readiness to respond swiftly to any potential wildfires. Additionally, citizens are urged to exercise caution and avoid activities that could lead to accidental fires, such as burning dry grass or branches, using spark-inducing tools like cut-off saws or welding equipment, outdoor barbecues, beekeeping with smoke, or discarding lit cigarettes.
During the fire season, agricultural burning is strictly prohibited. The Hellenic Fire Service remains at Operational Readiness Stage 2, conducting aerial surveillance and patrols alongside police and military forces. Fire department personnel in the affected areas remain partially on standby to manage increased operational demands due to the elevated fire risk.
A civil protection action plan is also in effect, which includes preventive measures such as restricting vehicle access and visitor presence in national parks, forests, and vulnerable zones.
The Fire Service urges citizens to:
1. Avoid risky behavior outdoors that could cause wildfires.
2. Stay informed through official channels, including their website, Facebook, and Twitter accounts.
3. Immediately report any fire sightings to emergency services at 199.
In case of a wildfire, residents are advised to follow instructions from local authorities to ensure personal safety. For more information and self-protection guidelines, visit the General Secretariat for Civil Protection’s website at www.civilprotection.gr.