The full readiness of the Civil Protection mechanism in view of this year’s fire fighting season, which begins tomorrow, Monday, May 1, and will last until October 31, the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection emphasizes in a statement.

As the ministry points out, this year’s preparation started earlier than ever, while numerous, wide-ranging meetings have been held since the beginning of the year at the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection. The strategic planning for this year’s fire fighting season is based, as underlined in the announcement, based on the new doctrine Prevention, Preparation/Readiness in combination with the immediate response to emergency events while the goal of intensive and timely preparation, which this year started earlier than ever, is the operational readiness of the Fire Brigade and optimal coordination, with the aim of the even more effective cooperation of all co-competent bodies: Armed Forces, Greek Police, Coast Guard, EKAV, Forestry Services, Local Government and Volunteers.

At the same time, as pointed out, for the immediate and coordinated response of the involved bodies at central, regional and local level, the general secretariat of Civil Protection issued a few days ago the 5th Edition of the General Plan for Confronting Emergencies due to Forest Fires “IOLAOS 2».

The “IOLAOS 2” General Plan foresees, among other things, the issuance of the Daily Fire Risk Prediction Map throughout the fire protection season. The Map is an integral part of forest fire response planning, it is issued daily by the National Forestry Authority -starting this year from today, Sunday, April 30- and is valid for the day following its issue.

There are five categories of risk that can be shown on the Map:

1 / Green – Low

2 / Blue – Medium

3 / Yellow – High

4 / Orange – Very high

5 / Red – ALARM condition

The main objective of issuing the Charter is to inform the bodies involved in dealing with forest fires about the areas in which there is a high risk of occurrence and spread of forest fires in the next 24 hours, in order to put them in a state of civil protection readiness and to deal immediately and together any forest fire outbreaks. It also contributes decisively to the information and awareness of citizens to prevent the start of forest fires by negligence.

At the same time, the ministry addresses recommendations to citizens for the fire season.

Particularly:

Throughout the fire season

– We are very careful and avoid any outdoor activity that could cause a fire

– In case we notice a fire:

• Call the Fire Department IMMEDIATELY on 199 or 112 and give clear information about:

• The location and exact location

• The exact location and direction of the fire

• The intensity of the wind in the area and

• The type of vegetation being burned.

• We immediately move away from the area

• We facilitate the access of the fire brigade

• We faithfully follow the instructions of the competent authorities

– We follow simple prevention and self-protection instructions (https://civilprotection.gov.gr/odigies-prostasias/dasikes-pyrkagies) from forest fires.

We remember: We don’t light a fire during the fire season.”

Citizens can follow the Fire Risk Prediction Map daily on the website (https://civilprotection.gov.gr/arxeio-imerision-xartwn) of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection and on the social media of the Ministry and the Fire Department.