Heraklion and Lasithi placed under yellow wildfire alert for Friday, civil protection says
Heraklion and Lasithi were placed under a level 3 “yellow” wildfire risk alert for Friday, September 11, along with 20 other areas across Greece, according to the daily fire risk prediction map issued by the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection.
The map also placed the following areas under yellow alert for Friday: Attica, Boeotia, Evia and Skyros; Korinthia, Argolida, Ilia and Lakonia; Aitoloakarnania, Preveza and Thesprotia; Rodopi and Evros; the Cyclades, the Dodecanese and the northeastern Aegean islands; and parts of Fthiotida, Magnisia, Achaia and Arkadia, in addition to Heraklion and Lasithi in Crete.
Authorities on increased readiness
The ministry said it has notified the relevant state services, as well as the regional and municipal authorities of the affected areas, to remain in increased civil protection readiness in order to respond immediately to any fire incidents.
The General Secretariat for Civil Protection urged residents to be particularly careful outdoors and to avoid actions that could unintentionally start a fire, such as burning dry grass, branches or garden waste, using spark-generating machinery like disc saws or welding equipment, using outdoor grills, smoking out beehives, or discarding lit cigarettes. The Secretariat also reminded the public that burning agricultural fields remains banned during the fire season.
Anyone who spots a fire is asked to contact the Fire Service immediately on 199. Additional information and self-protection guidance on wildfire risks is available on the Secretariat’s website, civilprotection.gov.gr.
Part of a wider pattern this week
This week’s yellow alert follows a series of warnings for Crete. Authorities had already flagged a very high wildfire risk for the island earlier in the week, and civil protection previously issued a Red Code alert for the island last weekend. Similar orange-level warnings have also been issued for Crete in previous weeks as the fire season continues.
