Crete placed on level 4 fire alert as wind gusts reach 110 km/h

Crete has been placed under a level 4 fire-risk alert, the highest readiness category, after strong winds produced gusts of up to 110 km/h across the island, according to members of Greece’s Risk Assessment Committee.

The committee held its second meeting on Sunday, August 9, at midday, following an order from the Secretary General of Civil Protection, Nikos Papaefstathiou, and in the presence of the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Evangelos Tournas. The meeting focused on the strong winds affecting the country, with Crete among the areas recording the highest gust speeds.

Authorities have urged residents to avoid any outdoor activity that could accidentally start a fire, as the state mechanism has been placed on full alert due to the elevated fire danger caused by the winds.

Areas placed under level 4 readiness

According to the committee, the following areas have been placed under level 4 fire-risk readiness:

the Region of Attica and Kythira; the regional units of Corinthia, Argolida, Arkadia and Lakonia; the Region of Crete; the regional units of Lesvos, Chios, Samos and Ikaria; areas of the North Aegean; and the regional units of the Cyclades and South Aegean.

Regional authorities and municipalities have been called on to fully activate their Civil Protection mechanisms in response.

In Athens, the municipality announced the preventive closure of several hills and groves, including Sinopoulou, Lykavittos, Strefi, Filopappou, Tourkovounia and Ilisia, with continuous patrols by the Municipal Police and the Hellenic Police, while operational centers remain on full alert.

Minister says mechanism must be fully ready

Minister Evangelos Tournas said the firefighting mechanism “must be on full alert,” with ground patrols currently under way and aerial patrols expected to follow shortly. He said the country’s aerial firefighting fleet is being reinforced with the delivery of eight Super Puma helicopters, and that Greece’s first domestically operated Mi 5.5 aircraft is expected to enter service from 2028.