Greece’s Civil Protection mechanism has been placed on heightened readiness in Crete, as a very high fire risk, category 4, is forecast for Tuesday, July 7, in the regional units of Heraklion, Lasithi and Rethymno, according to the daily Fire Risk Forecast Map issued by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection.

Category 4 fire risk has also been forecast for the regional units of Chios, Samos and Ikaria.

According to an announcement by the Civil Protection department of the Region of Crete, all competent services and technical resources in the affected areas have been put on standby, with the necessary personnel and equipment deployed to ensure an immediate response to any incident.

The General Secretariat for Civil Protection has urged citizens to exercise particular caution and avoid any outdoor activity that could accidentally start a fire. These include burning dry grass, branches or cleaning residue; using machinery that can produce sparks, such as circular saws or welding equipment; lighting outdoor barbecues; smoking bees; and discarding lit cigarettes.

It is also reminded that the burning of fields is prohibited throughout the fire season.

Access bans and restrictions

In addition, the passage, presence and movement of citizens and vehicles are banned in specific forested and protected areas in the three regional units of Crete.

In Heraklion, the restrictions apply to the forests of Symi, Rouvas-Zaros, Koudoumas, Keri, Fourni, Giouchtas and Epanosifis.

In Lasithi, they concern the forests of Azilakodasos, Vathi, Thripti, Kalo Chorio-Meseleroi, Selakano, the Kritsa cypress forest and Kroustas, as well as the Vai palm forest, where the ban applies daily from 22:00 to 06:00.

In Rethymno, the bans include the suburban forests of Evligias-Profitis Ilias-Agios Ioannis, the reforestation area south of Arkadi Monastery, the Paradeisos Armenon grove, the gorges of Myloi, Margarites and Agios Antonios in Patsos, the suburban forests of Kissos, Agkouseliana and Agios Ioannis, as well as the area south of the supervised section of the Kourtaliotis River down to its mouth, excluding the sandy part of the beach.

Civil Protection is calling on citizens to remain alert, follow the restrictions strictly and immediately notify the Fire Service if they notice smoke or a fire.