Athens issues high fire alert, closing Lycabettus and Finopoulou hills

The Municipality of Athens has placed all its services on high alert due to a predicted Category 5 fire risk in the Attica region. Strong winds are expected to create conditions conducive to the rapid spread of wildfires.

As a precautionary measure, Lycabettus Hill and Finopoulou Hill will be closed to all activities, including pedestrian transit, visitor stays, and vehicle traffic, starting from midnight on Wednesday until further notice.

To monitor large green spaces such as Lycabettus, Strefi, Philopappos, Turkovounia, and Ilisia, the municipality is deploying drones equipped with thermal cameras. Municipal police will conduct patrols, and the Municipal Police Operations Center will operate 24/7 to coordinate with the Fire Service. Additionally, cleaning and greenery services have formed standby teams, and water tankers remain on constant alert.

Fire protection is also being reinforced at municipal campsites in Agios Andreas, Attica, with the deployment of two water cannon vehicles and two 4x4 vehicles. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and report any risks to the 24-hour municipal service line.