Greece issues Red Code fire alerts amid heatwave and high winds FAST-MOVING

heatwave wildfire risk civil protection extreme weather Greece

Greece is facing an extreme weather period characterized by a combination of high temperatures and strong northerly winds, significantly increasing the risk of wildfires. The Risk Assessment Committee, led by General Secretary Nikos Papapavestios and Minister Evangelos Tournas, has been convening to monitor the situation.

For Sunday, August 9, 2026, a "Red Code" (Category 4 - very high risk) has been issued for several regions, including Crete, Chios, Samos, Ikaria, Attica, Kythira, and parts of the Peloponnese, Euboea, and Boeotia. Winds of 6-7 Beaufort are expected, with local gusts reaching 8 Beaufort. On Monday, August 10, conditions are expected to intensify further, with gusts potentially reaching 9 Beaufort in regions such as Thrace, Attica-Boeotia, and the Peloponnese.

Temperatures are expected to reach up to 38-39 °C in western and northern Greece. In response, the municipality of Haidari has implemented emergency measures, including vehicle traffic bans in certain forest areas.

A July 2026 survey by Metron Analysis indicated that 77% of Greeks identify rising electricity costs as the primary financial burden of heatwaves, while 90% view the heat as a threat to future well-being.

Entities: Committee of Risk Assessment · Crete · Dr Brian Bossak · Dr. Brian Bossak · Evangelos Tourna · Evangelos Tournas · General Secretariat for Civil Protection · General Secretariat of Civil Protection · Greece · Greek Civil Protection Authority · Medical Association of Larissa · Medical Society of Larissa

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 9 SOURCES] Red-Code fire danger has been declared for Crete and the North Aegean, with a very high fire-risk rating (Category 4). (General Secretariat of Civil Protection)
[● 2 SOURCES] Medical experts advise staying hydrated, keeping indoor spaces cool, avoiding outdoor activity during peak heat, and protecting vulnerable groups. (General Secretariat of Civil Protection)
[○ 1 SOURCE] 9 out of 10 Greeks view the heatwave as a threat to future wellbeing. (existing claim)
[● 5 SOURCES] Strong northerly winds of up to 8 bft are forecast for the Aegean Sea, raising wildfire risk. (General Secretariat of Civil Protection)
[○ 1 SOURCE] 70 % of surveyed Greeks consider individual and community action necessary because official response is inadequate. (95c9ced0-768c-47f3-baa2-71a775a67762)
[○ 1 SOURCE] 77 % of surveyed Greeks say higher electricity costs are the main financial impact of the heatwave. (existing claim)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The 1987 Greek heatwave caused 1 300 deaths, including 1 115 in Attica. (Historical record)
[● 4 SOURCES] Temperatures in Greece are expected to reach up to 40 °C in western and northern regions during the early August 2026 heatwave. (General Secretariat of Civil Protection)
[○ 1 SOURCE] 60 % of respondents think Greece’s preparedness for the heatwave is about the same as last year. (Metron Analysis survey)
[● 8 SOURCES] The Committee of Risk Assessment met on 8 August 2026, chaired by General Secretary of Civil Protection Nikos Papapavestios and attended by Climate-Crisis Minister Evangelos Tourna. (The Risk Assessment Committee met on 8 August 2026, chaired by Nikos Papapavestios and attended by Evangelos Tournas.)
[● 7 SOURCES] Strong north-northeast winds of Beaufort force 6-7 are forecast for Greece on 9 August 2026, with local gusts up to 8-9 bft in several regions. (Committee of Risk Assessment)
[DISPUTED] The fire-danger map classifies the risk as Category 4 (very high) for many areas, including Crete, the North Aegean and several mainland regions on 9 August 2026. (General Secretariat of Civil Protection)