Authorities have placed several parts of the country on heightened wildfire alert Monday as a blaze near Corinth that disrupted traffic on the national highway was brought under control on Sunday afternoon.
The general secretariat for civil protection issued its fire risk forecast map for Monday, Aug. 17, urging state, regional and municipal authorities to remain on heightened readiness.
Authorities also urged the public to avoid outdoor activities that could inadvertently cause fires, including burning dry vegetation, using spark-producing equipment, outdoor grills and smoking beehives. Burning agricultural fields remains prohibited during the wildfire season.
Corinth blaze contained after disrupting national highway
Meanwhile, a wildfire that broke out Sunday in the Solomos area of Corinth prefecture was brought under control shortly after 2 p.m. after burning garbage and dry vegetation near the national highway.
Twenty firefighters with four vehicles remained at the site, supported by two aircraft and a helicopter making water drops. Traffic on the national highway was temporarily disrupted during firefighting operations.
The warning follows a prolonged period of hot, dry and windy weather that has repeatedly created conditions conducive to rapidly spreading wildfires across Greece.
