Greece expands wildfire-detection network to Knossos, Phaistos and other heritage sites
Greece’s Ministry of Civil Protection is expanding a network of fire-detection systems to archaeological sites and monuments across the country, with installations planned for Knossos and Phaistos in Crete by September 2026, the ministry announced.
Eight systems are currently operating, covering Mystras, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Dion, Platamonas, Aphaia on Aegina, Peristeria in Messinia and Ancient Olympia, according to the announcement.
The system’s capability was demonstrated during a fire that broke out on July 31, 2026, in Fichtia, in the Argolis region, within the surveillance range of the Mycenae system. The fire-detection system identified the blaze and triggered an automated alert, providing the Coordination Control Center with immediate imagery and data on the incident. A 60-second video accompanied the first automated alert generated by the AEGIS application for that fire, recorded at 09:44 on July 31, 2026, the ministry said.
Expansion timeline
By August 31, 2026, six more systems are expected to become operational at the Acropolis, the Palace of Nestor, Ancient Messene, Osios Loukas, Nikopolis in Preveza, and Phaistos. Within September, eight further systems are planned for Knossos, Delphi, Tatoi, Mount Athos, Souriza in Lavreotiki, Dodoni, Samothraki and Thasos, the ministry said.
Once these phases are complete, 22 systems will be in full operational use, forming what the ministry describes as an extensive surveillance and early-warning network for fire protection at major archaeological sites, monuments and cultural heritage areas across the country. The Knossos site, one of Crete’s most visited archaeological destinations, is among the locations slated for coverage.
How the systems work
The systems are designed to detect potential fire outbreaks early, trigger automated alerts, and transmit real-time imagery and data to operational control centers. Information delivered to operators combines data from thermal and optical cameras capable of 360-degree rotation, remote-controlled cameras, and mapping displays that show detected fire locations, the time an alarm was triggered, and the status of the equipment, according to the ministry.
The project also includes meteorological stations, regional and coordination control centers, and portable firefighting cannons at selected sites for immediate response to fire outbreaks. The ministry said the system provides real-time operational information to the Fire Service, allowing it to assess incidents more quickly and organize its response.
Funding and implementation
The project is being carried out under the National Civil Protection Program “AEGIS,” funded by the Recovery and Resilience Fund. The tender process for procuring and installing the systems was conducted by Greece’s Superfund (Ypertameio) as part of broader projects to upgrade Civil Protection equipment and infrastructure, the ministry said.
The Ministry of Civil Protection described the project as a significant investment in technology aimed at early warning, continuous surveillance and faster operational response, while strengthening the protection of the country’s cultural heritage against the risk of wildfires. This effort comes as Crete has recently faced periods of very high fire risk during the summer season.
