A very high fire risk (risk category 4) is forecast tomorrow in Attica, Crete, Evia and areas in the Peloponnese and North Aegean, according to the Fire Risk Forecast Map, issued by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr).

In particular, a very high fire danger (risk category 4) is forecast tomorrow for the following areas:

– Region of Attica (including the island of Kythera)

– Region of Sterea Ellada (Region of Euboea)

The Region of Central Greece (including the region of Greece, including the island of Kyiv)

– Region of Peloponnese (PE Corinthia, PE Argolida, PE Laconia, PE Arcadia)

– Region of North Aegean (PE Lesvos, PE Chios, PE Samos, PE Ikaria)

– Region of Crete

The General Secretariat of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has informed the competent government departments involved, as well as the Regions and the Municipalities of the above regions, in order to be on increased civil protection preparedness in order to deal immediately with any fire incidents.

At the same time, the GIS recommends that people should be particularly careful and avoid outdoor activities that can cause a fire through negligence, such as burning dry grass and branches or cleaning debris, using spark-causing machinery such as circular saws, welding devices, using outdoor grills, smoking bees, throwing lit cigarettes, etc. It is also reminded that during the fire season, burning of fields is prohibited.

Accordingly, as announced by the Fire Brigade, the 2nd stage of operational readiness of the Fire Brigade remains in effect and aerial surveillance patrols will be carried out, as well as patrols by Fire, Police and Military forces.

In addition, the personnel of the Fire Services of the above areas remain on partial alert, in order to cope with the increased service requirements that may arise due to the very high fire risk (risk category 4).

At the same time, for these areas, the Civil Protection Action Plan for dealing with forest fire risks remains in force, according to which, among other things, the implementation of the measure of preventive prohibition of vehicle traffic and the stay of tourists in national parks, forests and “vulnerable” areas is foreseen.

The Fire Brigade appeals to citizens:

1. to be especially careful and avoid actions in the open air that can cause a fire by negligence, such as burning dry grass and branches or cleaning debris, using spark-causing machinery such as circular saws, welding devices, using outdoor grills, smoking bees, throwing lit cigarettes, etc. It is also reminded that during the fire season, burning of fields is prohibited.

2. to follow the information on forest fire prevention available on the website and official accounts of the Fire Department, Facebook and Twitter.

3. In case they become aware of a fire, they are requested to immediately notify the Fire Service on the call number 199.

Finally, the Fire Brigade calls on all citizens to be particularly careful and in case of fire, for their own safety, to strictly follow the instructions of the competent authorities.

For more information and instructions for self-protection from the dangers of forest fires, citizens can visit the website of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection at www.civilprotection.gr.