State of alert for wildfires declared in six areas

Six areas of the country were placed in risk category 5, the highest on the scale, on Thursday, August 13, according to the Wildfire Risk Forecast Map issued by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection. These are Attica, Boeotia, Evia, Argolida, Corinthia and Lesvos. Category 5 corresponds to a state of alert and automatically triggers a series of preventive measures. Fire service spokesperson Giannis Artopoios described the day as “one of the most difficult for Civil Protection in terms of weather conditions.” The escalation followed several consecutive days in category 4.

A broad part of the country was placed in category 4, meaning very high risk. This includes Kythira, the regional units of Corinthia, Arcadia and Laconia, the entire Region of Western Greece, and the Ionian islands of Lefkada, Cephalonia, Ithaca and Zakynthos. Also at the same level were Arta and Preveza, Boeotia, Phocis, Phthiotis, Evia and Skyros, as well as the Sporades. Very high risk also applied to the entire North Aegean, Chalkidiki and Mount Athos, Kavala, Thasos, Xanthi, Rhodope, Evros and Samothrace, as well as the Cyclades.

The fire service was placed on general alert in the category-5 areas. Aerial patrols and checks by fire service, police and military forces were arranged. The Red Code mechanism was also activated, which includes the mobilization of personnel, vehicles, heavy equipment and water tankers. The convening of coordination bodies at the municipal and regional level is also provided for. Preventive traffic bans in forests and national parks may be imposed.

The bans in effect for the day were extensive. Burning dry grass and branches, using circular saws and equipment that produces sparks, outdoor welding, barbecues and bee smoking were all prohibited. Discarding lit cigarettes was also banned. It is a reminder that field burning is prohibited throughout the entire fire season. Fires should be reported by calling 199, giving the exact location, the direction the fire is spreading, and whether people or buildings are threatened.

The fire service’s cumulative figures give a picture of this year’s season. Since the start of 2026, 285 citizens have been arrested in the act. Of these, 255 involve fires caused by negligence and 30 by intent. 696 administrative fines have also been imposed, totaling more than one million euros. In the past 24 hours alone, three arrests were recorded, in Attica, Argolida and Rhodope.

The day’s weather explains the risk rating. The weather was generally clear, with cloud cover and localized rain in Macedonia and Epirus from midday onward, and isolated thunderstorms in mountainous areas. Winds blew from northerly directions at 4 to 6 on the Beaufort scale, reaching 7 and locally 8 in the Aegean. Maximum temperatures reached 37 to 38 degrees Celsius in parts of the country. The combination of high temperature, low humidity and strong winds produces the most dangerous conditions.

For the Assumption Day holiday, some periods of increased cloud cover are expected, with temporary localized rain and isolated thunderstorms in western and central Macedonia and Thessaly. During midday and afternoon hours, the phenomena extend to Epirus, western Central Greece and the Peloponnese. Forecasts point to a 48-hour period of strong winds at 8 and 9 Beaufort. See also the previous map showing category 4 in six regions. The situation is reassessed daily.