Greece’s Civil Protection authorities have issued an extreme wildfire risk alert for Thursday, 14 August, warning that several regions face very high fire danger. The alert follows the official wildfire risk map issued by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection under the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection.
The highest risk level applies to the region of Attica and the regional units of Corinthia, Argolis, Phthiotis, Boeotia, Euboea (including Skyros), Thasos, Xanthi, Rhodope, Evros (including Samothraki), and Lemnos. Many other parts of mainland and island Greece will also face high fire danger, classified as risk category 3.
In response, the Civil Protection Action Plan for wildfire prevention has been activated. This includes a preventive ban on vehicle traffic and visitor access to national parks, forests, and other high-risk areas. Local and regional authorities, along with state agencies, have been placed on high alert to respond quickly to any outbreak.
Officials are urging the public to avoid all activities in rural or forested areas that could cause a fire through negligence, such as burning dry vegetation, using equipment that produces sparks (including power saws and welding devices), lighting outdoor barbecues, smoking beehives, or discarding lit cigarettes. Open-field burning remains strictly prohibited during the fire season.
The public is also advised to follow official wildfire prevention updates via the Hellenic Fire Service’s website and its official social media channels. Anyone spotting a fire should immediately call the fire service on the emergency number 199 and strictly follow instructions from authorities for their own safety.
