Greece’s Fire Service and Civil Protection warn of a very high risk – RED ALERT Level – of forest and wild fires on Friday, August 6, 2021 in several regions across the country.
The warning comes as the prolonged heatwave is forecast to ease. However, after ten days it has literally created ‘ideal’ conditions for fires due to high dryness and lack of humidity. Wind intensity is expected to rise as of Friday.
In RED ALERT Level (Level 5) are the following regional units:
- Attica
- Peloponnese
- West Greece: Achaia, Ilia
- Sterea: Evia, Fthiotida, Viotia, Fokida
- Thessaly: Magnisia
- Crete: Chania, Rethymno
In Very High Risk (Level 4) are:
- East Macedonia/Thrace: Evros, Kavala, Thassos
- Central Macedonia: Thessaloniki, Halkidiki
- Thessaly: Larissa
- Ionian Islands
- Epirus: Thesprotia, Preveza
- West Greece: Aitoloakarnania
- Crete: Heraklio, Lasithi
- South Aegean: Rhodes
All Fire Service departments across the country are on alert, fire brigades, police and armed forces continue surveillance with aerial means..
The plan foresees also banning traffic of vehicles and visitors in forests, natural parks and ‘vulnerable areas” as preventive measure, the Fire Service said in a statement.
The Fire Service appeals to citizens to be particularly careful and refrain from any activity that could trigger a fire and follow relevant instructions and information.
In case citizens spot a fire, they should immediately cal the Fire Service at <199>.
Several forest fires are active again on Thursday, thousands of people have been evacuated, un-measurable acres of forest burned down, agricultural land, houses and wildlife destroyed.
We have a mix of the worse conditions I have ever witnessed in 26 years of research in Greece.
I have never seen such a prolonged heat wave either. Now, with the wind picking up in intensity, it’s a recipe for utter disaster. People have to be extra careful not to throw their cigarettes by the window of their cars, or any glass recipients that can reflect and intensify the intense sun rays over extremely dry, barren vegetation. Everyone needs to be concerned! That includes the tourists, who seem to enjoy “the heat and the sun”, without caring about the situation of the locals who suffer from a lack of water and destroyed property.
“tourists..without caring about the situation of the locals” – cosa stai cercando di dire, Francesco?
sorry but you really cannot blame this on the tourists, we only ever see greek people throw everything out of their car windows including lit cigarettes!