In Alert Status (category 5/red) announced by the Civil Protection of the Region of Crete for the Regional Units Heraklion, Rethymno and Lasithi and in a very High Risk situation (category 4/ orange) for the Regional Unit Chania.

All the Services and Technical Means that make up the Civil Protection Mechanism have been placed in a state of heightened readiness/alarm, which is foreseen in our planning for taking additional measures, due to the increased risk of occurrence and spread of forest fires. Everyone is reminded of the ban on smoking in beehives, the ban on hot work, the ban on the use of grills and any use of fire in forests, woodlands, grasslands and rural areas, the ban on the use of airborne flying lanterns, the ban on burning fireworks, as well as the preventive ban on the passage, stay and movement of persons and vehicles, in NATURA areas, as well as in forest areas ecosystems, parks and groves and other vulnerable areas of the Region of Crete, as defined by relevant decisions of Deputy Regional Governors.

Excluded from the ban are persons who live or work in the areas where it was decided to apply the above provision. According to the regional authority, “It is the duty of all of us to contribute to the protection of our lives, health and property, as well as the protection of the natural environment, wealth-producing sources and infrastructure of the country.”