Greece Places Attica and 11 Regions on Red Code for Wildfire Risk

Attica and 11 Regional Units across Greece have entered a “Red Code” mobilisation status today, Monday, due to the very high wildfire risk forecast for the affected areas.

The authorities have placed the following areas under Red Code:

Attica Region, including the island of Kythira
Central Greece Region: Regional Units of Phthiotis, Boeotia and Evia, including the island of Skyros
Peloponnese Region: Regional Units of Corinthia, Argolis and Laconia
South Aegean Region: Regional Unit of the Cyclades
North Aegean Region: Regional Units of Lesbos, Chios, Samos and Ikaria

According to the General Secretariat for Civil Protection’s Daily Fire Risk Forecast Map, all of these areas face a very high wildfire risk, classified as Category 4.

Full mobilisation of the National Mechanism

The Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection said the Red Code status places the National Mechanism into full mobilisation.

Authorities will deploy the necessary personnel, equipment and resources to prepare for the potential danger, respond to emergencies and manage the consequences of a major wildfire. They will also launch short-term recovery, assistance and support measures to reduce the impact of any disaster.

Municipalities and regional authorities in the affected areas have been instructed to immediately convene their Local Operational Civil Protection Coordination Bodies (TESOPP) and Regional Operational Civil Protection Coordination Bodies (PESOPP).

The bodies will assess preparedness and measures required to respond to potential forest fires.

Very high wildfire risk across five regions

The Fire Risk Forecast Map identifies a Category 4 wildfire risk today in Attica, the Cyclades, islands in the North Aegean, and parts of Central Greece and the Peloponnese.

The General Secretariat for Civil Protection has notified the relevant state services, regions and municipalities so they can maintain increased civil protection readiness and respond immediately to any wildfire outbreak.

The Fire Service has also placed personnel in the affected Regional Units on partial standby because of the increased operational demands expected under the Category 4 wildfire risk.

The second stage of operational readiness is also in effect for the Fire Service.

Authorities will increase aerial surveillance patrols, while fire service, police and military forces will conduct additional patrols in high-risk areas.

The Civil Protection wildfire response plan also allows authorities to impose preventive restrictions on vehicle access and visitor presence in national parks, forests and other vulnerable areas.

Fire Service urges public to take precautions

The Fire Service has urged residents to exercise extreme caution and avoid outdoor activities that could accidentally start a wildfire.

Authorities specifically warn against:

Burning dry grass, branches or garden-cleaning waste
Using machinery that produces sparks, including circular saws and welding equipment
Using outdoor barbecues in high-risk areas
Smoking or tending beehives in ways that could cause a fire
Throwing away lit cigarette butts
Burning agricultural fields, which remains prohibited during the fire season

Residents should also follow wildfire prevention information published through the Fire Service’s official website and social media accounts.

Anyone who spots a fire should immediately call the Fire Service on 199.

The Fire Service has urged everyone to remain particularly vigilant and, if a wildfire breaks out, follow the instructions of the relevant authorities to protect their safety.

For further information and self-protection guidance, residents can consult the General Secretariat for Civil Protection.