Rafina–Pikermi: Forests and NATURA areas closed

Attica was placed in category 5 alert status – the highest level of the fire danger scale – for Friday, 14 August, according to the Fire Danger Forecast Map. This highest alert level automatically activates the measure of prohibiting passage, presence, and traffic of persons and vehicles in NATURA network areas and forest ecosystems of the East Attica Regional Unit. The measure is applied under decision No. 789818 of June 18, 2026, from the Deputy Governor of East Attica, published in the Government Gazette with ID ADA R0ΨΓ7Λ7-ΝΦΤ, which specifies the covered areas in detail. Category 5 is rarely declared and is accompanied by general Fire Service alert, aerial patrols, and preventive force deployment to areas with fire history.

In the Rafina–Pikermi municipality, the measure affects specific locations. The Oхyro hill closes in both category 4 and category 5 alerts. The “Lykorema-Valanarís” area in Dafni, Pikermi, closes only in category 5, from the intersection of Vergina and Sophocles Streets to Kekropos Street. The same applies to the Rafina Swimming Pool area. Sports facilities are explicitly exempted from the measure, including the closed gymnasium, tennis courts, refreshment stand, and playground, which remain in normal operation. The choice to keep sports facilities open shows the measure targets forest zones rather than organized spaces with controlled access and available fire-fighting resources.

General fire prevention period prohibitions remain in effect. Smoking in beehives is prohibited under Fire Service provisions 9 of 2000 and 9A of 2005, as is fire use in agricultural, forest, and pasture areas under provision 1 of 2018. For Saturday, 15 August, the alert is downgraded to orange – category 4 – with Oхyro remaining closed while certain roads return to normal traffic. Fire Service provisions prescribe administrative fines and, in cases of negligence-caused fires, criminal penalties during the fire prevention period.

East Attica has been repeatedly affected by major fires over the past decade, and the combination of scattered development within forest areas with narrow, often impassable access makes evacuation difficult. Traffic prohibitions aim to reduce human-caused ignition sources, which are overwhelmingly responsible for fires in Greece. Violators are subject to penalties prescribed by law. The Rafina–Pikermi municipality informs residents daily of the fire danger category and closure points to avoid confusion when measures change daily.

The regional unit emphasizes coordination between municipal authorities, the Fire Service, and law enforcement to ensure compliance and public safety. Residents are urged to report any suspicious activity or smoke through emergency channels. The provincial fire prevention measures, while restrictive, represent a critical protective protocol when extreme fire danger is forecast. The Fire Service maintains continuous monitoring with drone surveillance and thermal imaging equipment to detect fires at their earliest stages.

The evacuation protocols established for high-risk areas of East Attica include provisions for rapid resident mobilization if danger escalates beyond containment capabilities. Municipal authorities maintain updated contact lists and communication channels to issue warnings and instructions. The seasonal nature of these restrictions reflects the proven correlation between activity levels and fire risk during peak summer months. Ongoing public education about fire prevention remains essential for long-term community safety.