Greece has been put on alert for August 15, which also coincides with the feast of St. Mary, due to the very high risk of fires spreading, while strong winds continue to hit large areas of the country.
According to the fire risk forecast map of the Greek authorities, a significant part of the territory is included in the red code, which means a very high risk, of category 4.
In this situation, the authorities have gone into full mobilization, while the emergency forces have been put on increased alertness to intervene in the event of a fire.
Attica, Korinthia, Argolida, Lakonia, Ahaia, Ilia, Boeotia, Phtiotida and Evia are included in the category of very high risk, while the Sporades, the Aegean islands, Crete, Halkidiki and Mount Athos are also on the list.
The authorities have asked the affected municipalities and regions to activate the relevant civil defense coordination structures and to take all the necessary measures to deal with the risk of fires.
In all high-risk areas, the presence of the Fire Brigade has increased. Personnel are on alert, while patrols have been increased and forces have been deployed in the most exposed areas.
Special units for operations in forest areas are also being activated on the ground, while air patrols will be carried out with vehicles loaded for immediate intervention in case of a fire.
The difficult situation is aggravated by strong winds, especially in the Aegean, Crete and parts of eastern, southeastern and northeastern Greece.
Strong winds, combined with high temperatures and dry vegetation, significantly increase the risk of fires breaking out and spreading rapidly.
The authorities have intensified checks and recalled the restrictive measures for access and circulation in forests, national parks and other sensitive areas, according to the decisions of the local authorities.
