The number of agroforestry fires that occurred in the last twenty-four hours across the country reached 27. Of these, according to the fire department, 21 were dealt with directly, in their initial stage, while the fire brigade is dealing with another six.

The local investigative offices, as well as units of the Arson Crimes Directorate (D.A.E.E.), are investigating the causes of the fires.

Finally, the fire department calls on all citizens to be especially careful and in the event of a fire, for their own safety, to faithfully follow the instructions of the competent authorities.

Very high risk of fire tomorrow in Attica and areas of Central Greece, Peloponnese and North Aegean.

A very high risk of fire (risk category 4) is predicted tomorrow in the Region of Attica, as well as in regional units of the Regions of Central Greece, Peloponnese and the North Aegean, according to the Fire Risk Prediction Map issued by the General Secretariat of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Policy Protection.

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

  • Region of Attica
  • Region of Central Greece (PE Boeotia, PE Evia)
  • Peloponnese Region (Corinthia Region, Argolis Region)
  • North Aegean Region (Lesvos Region, Chios Region, Samos Region, Ikaria Region).

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 in the service, as well as the Regions and 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 reminded that during the fire protection season burning of fields is prohibited.

The 2nd stage of operational readiness of the P.S. is being implemented. and there will be aerial surveillance patrols, as well as patrols by fire, police and military forces.

Additionally, the personnel of the Fire Services of the above Regional Units are 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 above areas, the plan of Civil Protection actions to deal with risks due to forest fires is implemented, according to which, among other things, the implementation 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:

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

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.