Very high fire hazard (risk category 4) is currently provided for in the Regional Units Evros and Rhodopeaccording to Fire Hazard Prediction Map published by General Secretariat of Civil Protection of Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection.

The General Secretariat of Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr) has informed the competent government agencies involved in the service, as well as the regions (An.Macedonia-Thrace Region) and the municipalities of the above areas, so that they are on increased civil protection readiness in order to immediately deal with any fire incidents.

At the same time, the GPP recommends that citizens be especially careful and avoid activities in the open air that can cause a fire by negligence, such as burning dry grass and branches or cleaning residues, the use of machines that cause sparks such as circular saws, welding devices, the use outdoor grills, smoking bees, throwing lit cigarettes, etc. Also, it is recalled that during the fire protection season burning of fields is prohibited.

The 2nd stage of operational readiness of the Fire Brigade remains in place and aerial surveillance patrols will be carried out, as well as patrols by fire, police and military forces.

In addition, the personnel of the Fire Services of the above Regional Units remain 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 above areas, the Plan of Civil Protection actions to deal with risks due to forest fires remains in place, 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 is foreseen, forests and “vulnerable” areas.

At the same time, the Fire Department appeals to the citizens:

– Be especially careful and avoid any activity that could cause a fire.

– Monitor forest fire prevention information available on the website and official accounts of the Fire Service, Facebook and Twitter.

– If they notice a fire, they should immediately notify the Fire Service by calling 199.

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