As wildfires continue ravaging parts of Greece, many tourists are concerned about the safety of travel to various regions.
The fires, sparked by extreme heat, have caused catastrophic damage to popular holiday destinations, leading to mass evacuations of both locals and tourists. To address these concerns, different areas of Greece have been classified according to their fire risk levels, ranging from low to extreme.
As of the current situation, Santorini is not considered to be at very high risk, and travel to and from the island remains unaffected. However, it is essential for tourists to stay informed and follow the guidance of local authorities. The UK government advises its nationals to check with their tour operators or hotels before travelling and to be aware that no journey can be entirely guaranteed safe.
Similarly, Mykonos is not considered to be particularly vulnerable to forest fires at the time of writing. The party islands of Zante and Kos have not reported any forest fires either. However, Zante, which belongs to the Ionian Islands, has been classified as having a very high risk of forest fires. While the island has no travel restrictions, tourists should exercise caution and keep in touch with their holiday providers.
For travellers planning to visit Rhodes, it is essential to monitor the situation closely. The fires have severely affected Rhodes, especially near Kiotari, Pefkoi, Lindos, and surrounding areas. The Foreign Office advises UK citizens to follow the advice of emergency services, and in case of immediate danger, call the Greek Ambulance Service at 112. The situation can change rapidly, so staying updated with official advice is crucial. Additionally, activating emergency alerts on mobile phones to receive SMS updates from Greek Civil Protection is recommended.
The fires have hit Rhodes and Corfu hard, and the risk remains for Crete. Over 19,000 locals and tourists have been rescued from the forest fires in Rhodes, many of them British. On Corfu, evacuation orders were issued for various areas, and almost 2,500 people were evacuated overnight. Crete, particularly in the areas of Rethymnon, Heraklion, and Lasithi, is facing an extreme fire hazard, and a "level 5" alert has been issued.
The Greek government has taken the situation seriously, putting all civil protection services on high alert due to the increased risk of wildfires. Many regions in Greece, including Chania in Crete, central and western Greece, Attica, the northern and southern Aegean, Thessaly, the Peloponnese, and the Ionian Islands, have been warned of very high fire risk (category 4).
In light of these developments, tourists planning to visit Greece must exercise caution and closely monitor the situation in their intended destination. Staying informed and following the guidance of local authorities is crucial to ensuring their safety while travelling during this challenging time.
