Greece is bracing for severe wildfire conditions on Thursday, with the Region of Crete facing a very high fire risk categorised as 4, according to the Fire Risk Prediction Map released by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection.
In addition to Crete, category 3 risks are forecasted for the entire Attica region and parts of Evia, Viotia, Laconia, Skyros, Kythera, as well as the islands of the Northeastern Aegean, Cyclades, and Dodecanese.
The combination of prolonged drought, minimal seasonal rainfall, and forecasted gale-force winds of up to 8 Beaufort is creating extremely hazardous conditions for wildfires that could spread rapidly across affected regions.
In response to these conditions, aerial surveillance patrols, along with ground patrols by the Fire Brigade, Hellenic Police, and Armed Forces, will be implemented in areas with a very high fire risk. The Fire Brigade and Police will also conduct extensive inspections to ensure compliance with preventive measures designed to avert potential fire outbreaks.
Authorities have issued a strict ban on all activities that generate heat or could spark fires in areas classified under risk categories 3 and 4, urging residents and visitors to remain vigilant.