For a long high risk of fires, Civil Protection warnsdespite the fact that the temperature is expected to drop by 2-4 degrees until Wednesday, as strong winds will blow and the meltemia will reach the Aegean at 7 Beaufort, while on Thursday a new heat wave is coming, with temperatures in places up to 43 degrees Celsius.

It is noted that even today the citizens flooded the beaches with both the escape from “Kleon”.
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In particular, according to the Fire Risk Prediction Map issued by the General Secretariat of Civil Protection, for tomorrow, Monday, July 17, 2023, a very high risk of fire (risk category 4) is predicted for the following areas:

  • Region of Attica (including the island of Kythira)
  • Region of Central Greece (PE Boeotia, PE Evia, PE Fthiotida)
  • Peloponnese Region (Corinthia Region, Argolis Region, Laconia Region, Arcadia Region)
  • South Aegean Region (Cyclades)
  • North Aegean Region (Lesvos Region, Chios Region, Samos Region, Ikaria Region)
  • Region of Crete

The General Secretariat of Civil Protection advises citizens to be especially careful and avoid actions in the countryside which can accidentally cause a fire, such as burning dry grass and branches or cleaning residues, using machines that cause sparks such as circular saws, welding devices, using outdoor grills, smoking bees, throwing lighted cigarettes, etc. Also, it is reminded that during the fire protection season burning of fields is prohibited.

In the event of a fire, citizens are requested to immediately notify the Fire Service at the number 199.
At the same time, the Fire Service is implementing the 2nd stage of operational readiness and there will be aerial surveillance patrols, as well as patrols by Fire, Police and Military forces.

In addition, the staff of the Fire Services of the above Regional Units have been put on partial alert, in order to deal with the increased service demands, which may arise due to a very high risk of fire (risk category 4).

At the same time, for the areas with a very high risk of fire, the Civil Protection Action Plan is implemented to deal with risks due to forest fires, according to which, among other things, it is foreseen the implementation of the measure of the preventive ban on vehicle traffic and the stay of excursionists on national forests, forests and “vulnerable” areas.

How the temperatures are developing – What citizens should watch out for

With regard to the evolution of temperatures in the coming days, as stated in the latest update from the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, according to the updated Emergency Bulletin of Dangerous Weather Phenomena (EDEKF) issued today, Sunday, July 16, 2023 by the National Meteorological Service (EMY), from today Sunday (16-07-2023) until Wednesday (19-07-2023) they will be limited in geographical extent the areas that will be affected by high temperatures and the intensity of the heat will be reduced.

The temperature is expected to drop by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius mainly in the east and the north as the Annual winds (meltemia) will reach the Aegean at 7 Beaufort, which means however that they increase the risk of fires. On Thursday (20-7-2023) the winds will weaken and the temperature will start to rise. From Thursday to at least Sunday (23-7-2023) a new heat wave will be felt in most areas of the country.

In detail:

1. Today, Sunday (16-7-2023), a slight drop in temperature is expected, mainly in the north and east. More specifically, the maximum temperature value will reach:

a. In the northern mainland, 35 to 36 degrees and in central Macedonia and the interior of Epirus, 37 degrees Celsius.

b. In the rest of the continent 37 to 39 and in the western continent 40 degrees Celsius.

c. in the Ionian islands, the islands of the eastern Aegean, the Dodecanese and southern Crete, 36 to 39 degrees Celsius.

2. From Monday (17-7-2023) to Wednesday (19-7-2023) the temperature will not change appreciably in the east and the north, but will increase in the western continents. More specifically, the maximum temperature values ​​will reach:

a. in the northern continental ones 35 to 37 degrees Celsius

b. in the eastern continental ones 37 to 39 degrees Celsius

c. in the western continental areas 38 to 40 and in places in the western Continent 41 degrees Celsius

d. in the Ionian islands 38 to 39 degrees and in the eastern Aegean islands, the Dodecanese and southern Crete 36 to 37 degrees Celsius.


3. On Thursday (20-7-2023) the maximum temperature values ​​will reach 40 to 42 on the mainland and 43 in places, 39 to 41 on the Ionian islands and 36 to 38 degrees Celsius on the Aegean islands.

Citizens can be informed daily about the development of extraordinary weather phenomena in the regular weather bulletins of the EMY and on the website of the EMY.

The General Secretariat of Civil Protection has informed the competent government agencies involved in the service, as well as the regions and municipalities of the country, so that they are on increased civil protection readiness, in order to immediately deal with the effects of both any fires and the prevalence of high temperatures.

In areas where high temperatures are expected to prevail, the EPA warns people belonging to vulnerable groups to be extra careful in the coming days to avoid health problems, such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, that may be caused by high temperatures which will prevail.

In particular, according to the guidelines for self-protection against high temperatures, citizens are advised to:

  • Stay in cool and shady places away from overcrowding, use air conditioners or fans and avoid heavy physical work in places with high temperature, apnea and high humidity.
  • Avoid sunbathing, as well as walking or running under the sun and wear a hat and sunglasses and light-colored clothing made of fabric that allows the skin to air and facilitates the evaporation of sweat, avoiding synthetic fabrics.
  • Consume light meals with fruits and vegetables, limiting fats and the amount of food.
  • Drink plenty of water and fruit juices, avoiding alcoholic beverages.

Special care is advised for babies and small childrenas well as the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases to protect them from high temperatures.