Authorities at the Municipality of Athens are on high alert and took preventive measures due to strong winds blowing in the area and high temperatures that increase the risk of wildfires.
Access to green parks including the National Garden in the center of Athens as well to forest areas like the hills of Kairariani and the Lycabettus hill has been forbidden. Teams have been patrolling in the parks and hills of the city and the children summer camp of Agios Andreas.
Map: Very High risk of wildfire for June 24 2019: Attica, Viotia, Central and South Evia, Argolida Prefecture in East Peloponnese
The wildfire prevention mechanism of the Athens municipality in on high alert with winds blowing with intensity of up to 5-6 Beaufort and temperatures reaching above 33 degrees Celsius in downtown.
Access to Lycabettus Hill was forbidden since Monday midnight, patrols and water carrying tracks have been deployed in the parks of the NAtional Garden, Pangrati, Ilissia, the hills of Filopappou, Strefi and Lambraki.
The Municipal Police, Cleanliness, Electricity, Green and Social Solidarity Directorates are already on the lookout and if necessary by the intensity of the winds, measures will be taken tomorrow morning for the National Garden, so to prevent accidents from the fall of elderly trees. Crane and climbing staff are on hand for any emergency (removal of fallen trees / branches, etc.).
The municipality of Athens asks for the cooperation of residents and visitors of the city. For any information: 24-hours phone line <1595> and the novoville Application.
The risk of wildfires will remain very high also on Wendesday, june 25, 2019, not only in Athens but also in the following areas: Attica, Evia, Viotia, Corinth, Argolida, Lakonia and Kythera.
Strong summer north winds, meltemia, are forecast at least for Athens until the end of the week.
Every summer wildfires are a real plaque in Greece destroying thousands of acres of forest. In July 2018, more than 100 people lost their lives and more than 180 were injured due to the devastating wildfire in Mati, East Attica.