A very high risk of fire (category 4 of 5) is foreseen in Attica, Crete, and parts of Central Greece and the North Aegean on Thursday, according to the Fire Risk Map published by the General Secretariat of Civil Protection at the Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry (https://civilprotection.gov.gr/en/xartis).
Specifically, the highest fire risk is foreseen for the following regions:
- Attica Region
- Central Greece Region (Viotia, Evia, Skyros island)
- North Aegean Region (Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Ikaria)
- Region of Crete
The General Secretariat has informed relevant state, regional and municipal authorities of the above locations to be on increased alert in order to face directly any fires breaking out.
It also advises the public to be particularly careful and avoid outdoor actions that may start a fire by negligence, such as burning dry grass and branches or debris after clearing land, the use of machinery that may produce sparks, outdoor barbecues, smoking bees, throwing away lit cigarettes, and so on.
In addition, the Fire Department will be sending out drones to patrol by air, while ground patrols will be carried out by firefighter, police, and military forces.
At the above-mentioned areas of high fire risk, authorities are implementing the preventative measure of prohibiting travel by vehicle through national parks, forests, and 'sensitive' areas and travellers' stay at them.
In case of fire, citizens should immediately notify the Fire Department through the 199 number.