Greece confronts 43 °C heatwave and fire alerts; outdoor work halted

A severe heatwave swept Greece on Wednesday 22 July 2026, with temperatures reaching 43 °C in parts of Thessaly, the eastern mainland and the eastern Peloponnese, and 40–41 °C in Attica. The National Meteorological Service issued an orange warning, and the Civil Protection Authority placed the country on maximum alert.

Fire‑danger maps showed Category 5 (extreme) risk for Attica, Boeotia, Phthiotis, Argolis and Corinthia, and Category 4 (high) risk for many other regions, prompting a “Red Code” on the Lycabettus hill and restrictions on forest access. Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Evangelos Tournas warned that conditions resembled the deadly 2018 Mati fire, urging citizens to stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activity and follow emergency guidelines.

The Ministry of Labour ordered a mandatory pause of all outdoor manual work from 13:00 to 17:00 in Attica, Eastern Central Greece, Thessaly and the Eastern Peloponnese. The measure applies to all workers, including platform‑based staff, with fines of €2,000 per employee for violations. Exceptions cover critical infrastructure such as health, transport and utilities, which may continue with protective measures. Additional fire‑prevention steps include bans on open fires, vehicle access restrictions in high‑risk forest zones, and heightened readiness of fire‑fighting units, police and the army.