A very high fire risk (risk category 4) is forecast today, Saturday (02/08), in Attica, Evia, as well as in Heraklion and Lasithi in Crete, according to the Fire Risk Forecast Map issued by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr).

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

• Region of Attica
• Region of Central Greece (Regional Unit of Evia)
• Region of Crete (Regional Units of Heraklion, Lasithi)

The General Secretariat for Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr) of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection has informed the competent state services involved, as well as the Regions and Municipalities of the above areas, so that they are in increased civil protection readiness in order to immediately respond to possible fire incidents.

Χάρτης Πρόβλεψης Κινδύνου 🔥για αύριο Σάββατο 02/08

🟠 Πολύ υψηλός κίνδυνος 4️⃣ σε:

📍 περιοχές #Αττική & #Εύβοια

📍 #Ηράκλειο #Λασίθι

🟡 Υψηλός κίνδυνος 3️⃣ στην αρκετές περιοχές στη νησιωτική και ηπειρωτική χώρα

ℹ https://t.co/qBoE12eUta pic.twitter.com/z8oYixyWXD

— Civil Protection GR (@CivPro_GR) August 1, 2025

Recommendations from Civil Protection to Citizens
At the same time, the GSCP recommends that citizens be especially careful and avoid activities in the countryside that could cause a fire due to negligence, such as burning dry grass and branches or cleaning residues, using machinery that creates sparks like circular saws, welding devices, using outdoor grills, bee smoking, throwing lit cigarettes, etc. It is also reminded that during the fire season, field burning is prohibited.

Consequently, as announced by the Fire Department, the 2nd stage of operational readiness of the Fire Service remains in effect, and aerial surveillance patrols, as well as patrols by fire, police, and military forces, will be carried out.

Additionally, the personnel of the Fire Services of the above areas remain on partial alert in order to meet the increased operational needs that may arise due to the very high fire risk (risk category 4).

At the same time, in these areas, the Civil Protection Action Plan to address risks due to forest fires remains in effect, according to which, among other things, the implementation of the measure of preventive vehicle and excursionist traffic bans in national parks, forests, and “vulnerable” areas is provided for.

At the same time, the Fire Department urges citizens:

1. To be especially cautious and avoid activities in the countryside that could cause a fire due to negligence, such as burning dry grass and branches or cleaning residues, using machinery that creates sparks like circular saws, welding devices, using outdoor grills, bee smoking, throwing lit cigarettes, etc. It is also reminded that during the fire season, field burning is prohibited.
2. To follow the information on forest fire prevention available on the website and the official accounts of the Fire Service, on Facebook and Twitter.
3. In case they detect a fire, they are asked to immediately notify the Fire Department at the emergency number 199.

Finally, all citizens are urged to be particularly cautious and, in case of fire, for their own safety, to strictly follow the instructions of the competent authorities.

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

The five risk categories
The map distinguishes four regular risk categories — low, moderate, high, and very high — graded respectively from 1 to 4. The category with number 5 is rarely shown on the map. This category corresponds to a State of Alert.

The meaning of the above risk categories is explained below:

Risk Category 1 (Low)
The risk is low. The probability of fire occurrence is not particularly high. If a fire does break out, the conditions (fuel state, weather conditions) will not favor its rapid development.

Risk Category 2 (Moderate)
The risk is typical for the summer season. Fires that may occur are expected to be of moderate difficulty in handling.

Risk Category 3 (High)
The risk is high. An increased number of fires is likely to occur, several of which will be difficult to manage when local conditions are favorable (terrain, local winds, etc.).

Risk Category 4 (Very High)
The risk is very high. The number of fires expected to occur may be high, but more importantly, any fire can grow significantly if not controlled at the initial stage.

Risk Category 5 (State of ALERT)
The risk is extreme. The number of fires expected to occur may be very high. All fires that may break out can rapidly grow and exhibit extreme behavior immediately after ignition. Controlling them is expected to be very difficult until conditions change.

Useful tips
At the same time, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection recommends the following to citizens: Some useful tips we can all easily follow, especially during the summer months, to achieve this goal are:

To avoid causing a fire

• Avoid outdoor hot works that may cause a fire (welding, use of grinders or other tools that create sparks)
• Do not light outdoor grills (barbecues) during the summer months in forests or areas with dry grass and branches
• Avoid bee smoking and do not leave burning residues in the countryside, as they may reignite and cause a fire
• Under no circumstances should we burn dry grass, branches, reeds, and garbage outdoors
• Never throw lit cigarettes and matches out of car windows or when in the forest
• Do not leave trash in the forest, as it may ignite; nor glass bottles, as they may start a fire in dry grass through solar radiation
• Do not use fireworks in areas near forests
• Never park your car in places with dry grass. Car catalysts remain overheated for a long time after turning off the engine, posing a fire hazard
• Be aware that sparks caused by vehicle exhausts of all types can create fire-favorable conditions
• Always comply with access restriction signs in forests during high-risk periods

Actions to take when you spot a fire

• IMMEDIATELY call 199 and provide clear information about your location and the exact spot of the fire
• Describe the type of vegetation burning
• Indicate the direction the fire is heading
• Provide details about wind strength and direction in the area
• Calls to this number are free from landlines and mobiles. No phone card is needed at payphones. If your mobile shows “emergency calls only” or “no network,” call 112, the EU-wide emergency number. This number is also free from all phones.

At the same time, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection advises citizens:

If you are outdoors:

• Do not burn trash or dry grass and branches during the summer
• Do not light outdoor grills in forests or areas with dry grass in summer
• Avoid work that may cause fire (e.g., welding, grinding tools that create sparks)
• Do not throw lit cigarettes
• Do not leave trash in the forest — risk of ignition
• Respect access bans during high-risk periods

If your house is in or near a forest:

• Create a firebreak zone around the house by clearing dry grass, leaves, pine needles, and branches in a radius of at least 10 meters
• Prune trees up to 3 meters high, depending on their age and condition
• Remove dry branches from trees and shrubs
• Ensure tree branches don’t touch the walls, roof, or balconies — leave at least 5 meters clearance
• Thin out tree vegetation so that branches are at least 3 meters apart
• For even greater protection, clear tree and shrub vegetation around the building within at least 10 meters, as long as such clearing complies with forest law
• Do not install plastic gutters or pipes on house walls
• Avoid wooden shutters on windows and balcony doors
• Ensure chimney and air duct covers are made of non-flammable material to prevent spark intrusion
• Do not store flammable items near the house
• Store firewood in enclosed and protected areas
• Do not install uncovered fuel tanks near the house
• Acquire suitable fire extinguishers and maintain them
• Equip yourself with a watering hose long enough to protect the area
• Equip yourself with a water tank, a pump that works without electricity, and a water hose

If the fire approaches your house:

• Stay calm
• Remove all flammable materials from around the building into enclosed, protected areas
• Close all openings (chimneys, windows, doors) to prevent embers from entering
• Shut off natural gas and fuel supplies inside and outside
• Retract balcony awnings
• Open the garden gate for fire trucks
• Place a ladder outside the house, on the side opposite the fire, for quick roof access
• Connect hoses and lay them out around the house perimeter
• If visibility is low, turn on indoor and outdoor lights to be visible through the smoke

After the fire has passed:

• Exit the house and extinguish remaining small fires immediately
• Check the perimeter and outdoor areas of the house periodically for at least 48 hours for reignition

If the fire has reached your home:

• Do not leave unless your escape is fully secure
• Do not get in a car — staying in a fire-resistant house is safer than in a car surrounded by smoke and flames

If you remain inside the house:

• Securely close doors and windows
• Block gaps with wet cloths to keep smoke out
• Remove curtains from windows
• Move furniture away from doors and windows
• Close internal doors to slow fire spread
• Fill the bathtub, sinks, and buckets with backup water
• Gather everyone in one room
• Make sure you have a flashlight and spare batteries in case of power outage
• If your house is wooden, seek shelter in a masonry building
• If evacuation is ordered, follow the authorities’ instructions and routes exactly