Very high fire hazard (risk category 4) is expected today, Saturday July 22, for seven regions of the country, according to the Fire Risk Prediction Map issued by the general secretariat of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr).

Specifically, a very high risk of fire is predicted tomorrow for the following areas:

• Region of Attica

• Region of Central Greece (PE of Boeotia, PE of Evia, PE of Fthiotida, PE of Fokida)

• Region of Peloponnese

• Region of Western Greece

• Region of Thessaly (P.E. Larissa, P.E. Magnesia)

• South Aegean Region (Rhodes Region)

• North Aegean Region (Samos PE, Ikaria PE)

The general secretariat of Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr) of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has informed the competent government agencies involved, as well as the Regions and Municipalities of the above regions, so that they are on increased civil protection readiness in order to immediately deal with any fire incidents.

At the same time, the Public Safety Authority recommends that citizens be especially careful and avoid actions in the open air that can cause a fire by negligence, 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.

In addition, the personnel of the Fire Services of the entire Territory remain on general alert, in order to deal with the increased service demands, which have arisen due to the large number of fires as well as the very high risk of fire (risk category 4).

At the same time, the 2nd stage of operational readiness of the P.S. and there will be aerial surveillance patrols, as well as patrols by Fire, Police and Military forces.

At the same time, for the above areas, the Plan of Civil Protection actions to deal with risks due to forest fires is being implemented, according to which, among other things, the application of the measure of the preventive ban on vehicle traffic and the stay of excursionists in national forests, forests and “vulnerable” areas is foreseen.

Citizens are also appealed to:

1. Be especially careful and avoid actions in the open air that can cause a fire by negligence, such as

i. burning dry grasses and branches or cleaning residues,

ii. the use of machines that cause sparks such as circular saws, welding devices,

iii. the use of outdoor grills,

iv. smoking bees,

v. throwing lit cigarettes, etc.

2. To monitor forest fire prevention information available on the website and official accounts of the Fire Service, Facebook and Twitter.

3. In the event that they notice a fire, they should immediately notify the Fire Service by dialing 199.

“We ask all citizens to be particularly careful and in the event of a fire, for their own safety, to faithfully follow the instructions of the competent authorities”, the Fire Department points out in its announcement.

It is also pointed out that the risk of forest fires is very high in many areas of the country, as favorable conditions will prevail for their occurrence.

It is reminded that during the fire prevention season burning of fields is prohibited.

For more information and self-protection instructions from the dangers of forest fires, citizens can visit the website of the General Secretariat of Civil Protection at www.civilprotection.gr.