The Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has issued a strong warning urging heightened vigilance across Greece — especially in Central Macedonia — amid an elevated risk of wildfires on Monday, 13 July 2026. According to the official Fire Danger Forecast Map published by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, several regions face particularly dangerous conditions, with parts of Central Macedonia placed on ‘orange’ alert — the second-highest level of fire danger (Category 4: Very High).
Areas Under Highest Alert
The orange-level warning applies specifically to:
- Thessaloniki
- Chalkidiki
- Parts of Kilkis and Serres
This forecast carries added weight given the recent surge in wildfire incidents across Central Macedonia, prompting repeated large-scale operational responses from the Hellenic Fire Service.
Why the Risk Is So Elevated
Recent experience shows that even a small ignition source can rapidly escalate into a major wildfire when combined with high temperatures, dry vegetation, strong winds, and intense human activity — all of which are expected on Monday.
Widespread Elevated Risk Across Greece
Meanwhile, much of the country remains under ‘yellow’ alert (Category 3: High), including:
- All of Attica and Boeotia
- The regional units of Xanthi, Rhodope, and Evros
- Large parts of the Peloponnese (Achaea, Elis, Corinthia, Argolis, Laconia)
- Thessaly (Larissa, Magnesia) and Phthiotis
- The Aegean islands, Cyclades, and central and eastern Crete
- The Ionian islands and western mainland Greece
- Southern Euboea and Lesbos
Restrictions in Chalkidiki
In response to the high fire danger (Danger Index 3), the Deputy Regional Governor of Chalkidiki has ordered a temporary ban on pedestrian and vehicle access to specific forested areas in the municipalities of Cassandreia and Sithonia. The restriction will be in effect on Monday, 13 July 2026, from 08:00 to 20:00.
In Cassandreia, the ban covers the Kassandra peninsula — particularly the ‘Ridge’ area stretching from Kassandria to Agia Paraskevi — as well as the ‘Arapis’ and ‘Chalkovouni’ zones within the community of Palourion.