High temperatures and strengthening winds will create extreme wildfire conditions across much of Greece on Thursday, meteorologists warn, marking a perilous start to the nation's official fire season.
Authorities are on high alert as the dangerous combination sets the stage for rapid fire spread.
The national meteorological service, meteo.gr, reported that temperatures remained significantly above seasonal conditions, particularly in southern regions.
The highest temperature, 37.4°C (99.3°F), was recorded at Elafonissos, Crete.
While temperatures dipped slightly in many areas Thursday, significant heat persists inland, compounding the fire risk.
Former director of the National Meteorological Service (EMY) and meteorologist Theodoros Kolydas emphasized the escalating danger.
"High risk of fire outbreak is expected on Thursday in Central and Southern Evia, Attica and Boeotia, Eastern and Southern Peloponnese, the Cyclades, Crete, and the Eastern Aegean," Mr. Kolydas said on social media platform X.
He added that wind speeds are forecast to peak on Friday and Saturday, reaching 6 to 7 on the Beaufort scale, equivalent to a strong breeze to a near gale. Such winds pose a severe threat for rapidly spreading any fires that ignite.
A slight reprieve is expected Sunday afternoon when the winds are forecast to weaken.
Greece has formally entered its annual anti-wildfire operational period.
The predicted mix of lingering high temperatures, increasingly dry vegetation, and strengthening winds creates ideal conditions for fires to start easily and spread quickly, particularly in the listed high-risk regions.