As Greece faces another deadly heat wave, with temperatures in Athens pushing 40°C for the next week, most of the country is at a “high or very high risk of fire”, a government minister has warned.
Yearly scourge
Wildfires are a yearly scourge in southern Europe and Greece is no exception, but recent years have seen fires beyond many people’s experience on both the mainland and islands. Last year, Greece suffered the biggest wildfires in the European Union since records began and that took its toll. A group of 18 bodies believed to be those of refugees were killed in Dadia Forest in northeastern Greece. Meanwhile front pages were full of tourists being evacuated in extremis from resorts in Rhodes.
This year has already seen 1,300 wildfires across the country in June alone, more than double the figure for that month in 2023. A children’s hospital and retirement home have been evacuated from a blaze in the southern city of Patras, where 80 firefighters are battling the flames. Meanwhile other wildfires are flaring in at least three regions.
And things are set to get worse, according to Vasilis Kikilas, civil protection minister, who has said a winter drought and elevated spring temperatures have created the most challenging wildfire conditions seen in two decades. “Most of the country is at a high and a very high risk of fire (on Wednesday) due to the heat and very strong winds,” he said.
Dangerous and unpredictable
Echoing his warning, the UK has issued a Foreign Office travel advisory for Greece noting: “There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October. Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The situation can change quickly. To avoid starting wildfires: leave no litter, especially not glass which is known to start fires. Make sure cigarettes are properly extinguished and do not light barbecues.”
Tourists to Greece are cautioned to be alert if spending time in areas where wildfires are likely and that now includes the majority of the country. Visitors should also heed the warning that even starting a fire unintentionally can lead to criminal prosecution in Greece. The correct behaviour if one witnesses a fire is to get to safety, following all official instructions as needed, and to call emergency services on 112 as soon as possible.
