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Greece will face an extreme risk of wildfires on Thursday, August 13, with the state apparatus placed on heightened alert as authorities prepare for potentially dangerous conditions.

According to the Fire Risk Prediction Map issued by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection under the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Category 5, or extreme fire danger, has been forecast for Attica, parts of Central Greece, the northeastern Peloponnese and the North Aegean.

A large part of the country has also been placed under Category 4, or very high fire danger.

Areas under extreme fire danger

The highest alert, Category 5, applies to:

  • Attica
  • Central Greece: Boeotia and Evia
  • Peloponnese: Argolis and Corinthia
  • North Aegean: Lesvos

The authorities have notified the relevant state agencies, regions and municipalities so they can remain on heightened civil protection readiness and respond immediately to any wildfire incidents.

Firefighters placed on full standby

The Fire Service is continuing aerial surveillance, alongside patrols by fire, police and military forces.

Fire Service personnel in areas under Category 5 have been placed on full standby, while personnel in areas facing Category 4 conditions have been placed on partial standby.

The civil protection plan for dealing with wildfire risks is also being implemented. Among other measures, it provides for the preventive restriction of vehicle access and visitors’ presence in national parks, forests and other vulnerable areas.

An emergency meeting of the Civil Protection Coordination Body is also being held, attended by Evangelos Tournas, Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection of Greece, to discuss the extreme wildfire risk and determine measures and instructions.

Large areas under very high fire danger

Category 4, or very high fire danger, is forecast for:

  • Attica: Kythira
  • Peloponnese: Corinthia, Arcadia and Laconia
  • Western Greece
  • Ionian Islands: Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca and Zakynthos
  • Epirus: Arta and Preveza
  • Central Greece: Boeotia, Phocis, Phthiotis and Evia, including Skyros
  • Thessaly: Sporades
  • North Aegean
  • Central Macedonia: Halkidiki and Mount Athos
  • Eastern Macedonia and Thrace: Kavala, Thasos, Xanthi, Rhodope and Evros, including Samothrace
  • South Aegean: the Cyclades

Authorities urge extreme caution

The Civil Protection authorities and Fire Service are urging residents and visitors to avoid activities in rural areas that could accidentally cause a fire.

These include:

  • Burning dry grass, branches or other vegetation-clearing waste
  • Using equipment that can produce sparks, such as circular saws and welding equipment
  • Using outdoor grills
  • Smoking bees
  • Discarding lit cigarettes

People are also urged to follow official wildfire-prevention information from the Fire Service and to immediately report any fire they spot by calling 199.

Authorities also remind the public that burning agricultural fields is prohibited during the wildfire season.

Citizens are urged to exercise particular caution and, in the event of a fire, follow the instructions of the relevant authorities to protect their safety.