July 15, 2023
environment, FEATURED
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With temperatures in Greece reaching over 40 degrees Celsius and a prolonged dry weather, the Civil Protection issued a wildfires hazard warning for Saturday, July 15, 2023.
According to the fire hazard prediction map published by the Civil Protection Agency, five regions are considered to be at very high risk of wildfires, ranking at Level 4 (orange) out of a maximum of 5.
The region at very high risk of fire are:
- Attica
- Central Greece: Viotia, Evia
- North-eastern Peloponnese: Corinthia, Argolida
- South Aegean Sea: Rhodes
- North Aegean Sea: Chios, Samos and Ikaria.
Note: the Regional government of Attica closed to public big parks in Athens as a “precaution measure.” And this as many residents in downtown love to visit them in the early evening especially when temperatures are soaring.
According to meteo service of the National Observatory of Athens. the high risk of fires will continue also on Sunday, July 15, as summer north winds – meltemia – are forecast to blow with intensity of 5-6 Beaufort and locally up to 7 B.
Mostly affected will be the Aegean Sea and the eastern mainland.
The meteo service names the region at high risk as:
- Attica
- Evia
- Laconia
- Limnos
- Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Ikaria
- Cyclades islands
- Crete
- Dodecanese locally
The Civil Protection has not issued a warning for Sunday, yet.
Authorities advise residents and visitors not to engage in any dangerous activities such as building campfires, holding barbecues or burning plant trimmings in at-risk regions, and especially in wooded areas.
They are also urged to be especially mindful of littering, as trash like tin cans, cigarette butts or plastic bottles can spark or accelerate a blaze.
- If you see a wild fire, call 199
The flammability of dead forest fuel is critically high. Based on the analysis of available forecast data, the moisture content of dead forest fuels (flammability index) is expected to drop below 10% in several areas of eastern mainland Greece, remaining at these levels even during the night.
The Fire Service announced over 52 forest fires on July 14.