Weather: heat up to 30°C, high fire risk

The National Meteorological Service forecasts generally clear weather across the country on Friday 18 September 2026, with temperatures rising to 29-30 degrees Celsius inland, while across Greece temperatures are expected to range from approximately 19 to 30 degrees. According to the forecast, local rain is expected in the afternoon in Crete, the Dodecanese, the Ionian Islands, western Greece, and mountainous Epirus, though most areas are expected to experience clear conditions during the morning and early afternoon hours.

In parallel, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection has issued the fire risk forecast map for Friday 18 September, in which the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, parts of the northeastern Aegean, Euboea, and Lasithi in Crete are classified in category 3, that is, high risk. The rest of the country is mostly in category 2, with lower overall fire danger than in the previous days. A yellow warning is in force, indicating heightened caution is needed but not emergency measures.

According to Civil Protection guidelines, category 3 means that conditions favour the outbreak and rapid spread of fire, which makes it necessary to avoid work with fire in outdoor spaces, such as burning branches or use of spark-producing equipment. Discarding lit cigarette butts outdoors, burning agricultural waste, and any use of open flame or equipment that produces sparks in forests or grassland is prohibited. Anyone who sees smoke or fire must immediately call 199 to alert firefighting authorities.

Rain is expected to return more widely from Saturday 19 September, according to the National Meteorological Service forecast, a development that may help reduce fire risk in the following days. Until then, the combination of high temperatures and locally strong winds makes conditions challenging, and residents and visitors in high-risk areas are urged to take all necessary precautions to prevent accidental fires and to remain alert to official announcements from Civil Protection.