Level 3 risk is high for a possible fire event in Attica, Boeotia, Evia & areas of Fthiotida, Corinthia and Argolis tomorrow, according to the map of the GPP.

Evros, Rhodopi & areas of Xanthi are on level 3 alert at the same time.

Finally, a “yellow alert” exists for Halkidiki, Mount Athos, the Cyclades, the Sporades & the islands of the Northeast Aegean.

Forest fires

BE PREPARED

If you are outdoors
Do not burn trash or dry grass and branches during the summer months.

Do not light outdoor barbecues in the woods or in areas where there are dry grasses in the summer.

Avoid work that could cause a fire (eg welding, using a wheel or other tool that creates sparks).

Do not throw away lit cigarettes.

Do not leave litter in the forest. There is a risk of ignition.

Respect access restrictions during high risk periods.

If your house is in or near a forest
Create a fire zone around the house by clearing dry grass and leaves, pine needles and branches in a radius of at least 10 meters.

Prune the trees up to a height of 3 meters, depending on their age and condition.

Remove dry branches from trees and shrubs.

Do not let tree branches touch the walls, roof and balconies of the house. Prune them leaving a distance of at least 5 meters from the house.

Thin the woody vegetation so that the branches of one tree are at least 3 meters from the branches of another. For even greater protection, we remove the woody and bushy vegetation around the building at a distance of at least 10 meters since the cleaning operations of the natural vegetation imposed to protect the buildings do not in any way conflict with the provisions of the forestry legislation.

Do not install plastic gutters or pipes in the walls of the house.

Do not install shutters made of flammable materials on windows and balcony doors.

Make sure that covers on chimneys and vents in the house are made of non-combustible material to prevent sparks from entering.

Do not store flammable items near the house.

Place the firewood in closed and protected areas.

Do not build uncovered fuel tanks near the house.

Get the right fire extinguishers and take care of their maintenance.

Equip yourself with a watering hose that is as long as the area you want to protect.

Equip yourself with a water tank, a simple pump that works without electricity, and a water hose.
Scheme of indicative distance between house and trees

As soon as you notice a fire

Call the Fire Service IMMEDIATELY (tel. 199) and give clear information about:
– your location and exact location,
– the location, exact point and direction of the fire.
– the type of vegetation being burned.

BE PREPARED

If the fire is approaching your home
Keep your cool.

Move all flammable materials from around the building to closed and protected areas.

Close all passages (chimneys, windows, doors, etc.) so that the embers do not penetrate inside the house.

Turn off natural gas and liquid fuel supplies inside and outside the home.

Gather awnings on balconies and windows.

Facilitate access for fire engines by opening the garden gate.

Place a ladder on the outside of the house, opposite the direction of the fire so that direct access to the roof is possible.

Connect the watering pipes and spread them to cover the perimeter of the house.

If visibility is reduced, turn on its interior and exterior lights to see through smoke.

Once the fire is over

Leave the house and immediately extinguish the remaining small fires.

Check for at least 48 hours, at regular intervals, the perimeter and exterior areas of the home for flare-ups.

If the fire has reached your home

Do not leave the building unless your escape is fully assured.

Do not get into a car. The probability of survival in a house made of non-combustible materials is much greater than that of a car in smoke and flames.

If you stay at home:
– Close doors and windows tightly.
– Block the cracks with wet cloths to prevent smoke from entering.
– Remove the curtains from the windows.
– Move furniture near windows and exterior doors into rooms.
– Close intermediate doors to slow the spread of fire.
– Fill the bathtub, sinks and buckets with spare water.
– Gather all together in one room.
– Make sure you have a flashlight and spare batteries with you in case of a power outage.

If your house is wooden, seek shelter in a built house.

If an organized evacuation from the area is ordered, strictly follow the instructions of the Authorities and the routes that will be given to you.