Crete Locals

Crete rated very high wildfire risk on Thursday as authorities boost patrols

· By CreteLocals Editorial Team
Crete rated very high wildfire risk on Thursday as authorities boost patrols

Greece’s Fire Service and Civil Protection authorities are on heightened alert on Thursday after the General Secretariat for Civil Protection’s daily fire risk forecast map placed Crete, along with Attica and Evia, in category 4, the very high risk level.

According to the map, several Aegean islands are also rated category 4 on Thursday, including Chios, Samos, Ikaria, Kalymnos, Kos and Karpathos. The relevant state services, regional authorities and municipalities in the affected areas have been notified to remain on increased readiness to respond immediately to any fires that break out.

The Fire Service had already rated Crete at high wildfire risk on Tuesday, August 25, and conditions have persisted through the week amid ongoing fire activity on the island, including a blaze that broke out in the Messara region, which triggered a 112 alert, and a separate fire in low vegetation near Zoniana.

Fire service on partial alert, patrols increased

Fire Service personnel in the high-risk areas have been placed on partial alert, with the second stage of the Fire Brigade’s operational readiness activated. Aerial surveillance patrols have been reinforced, alongside increased patrols by fire, police and military forces.

Civil Protection’s action plan for addressing forest fire risk has also been put into effect. Among the measures, vehicle traffic and the presence of visitors are being preventively restricted in national parks, forests and other sensitive areas.

Public urged to avoid outdoor activities that could spark fires

The Fire Service is calling on residents and visitors to avoid any outdoor activity that could cause a fire, including burning dry grass and branches, using spark-generating machinery, welding and outdoor barbecues. Authorities reiterated that burning agricultural fields is prohibited during the fire season.

Anyone who spots a fire is asked to notify the Fire Service immediately at 199 and follow instructions from the responsible authorities.

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