Greece issues Red Code wildfire alert for multiple regions FAST-MOVING
Greece has placed multiple regions under 'Red Code' status due to an extreme wildfire risk categorized as level 4. This alert follows a decision by the Risk Assessment Committee, which met twice over the weekend to address the severe weather conditions.
Effective Monday, August 10, the high-risk zones include the Attica region (including Kythira), Crete, the Peloponnese (Corinthia, Argolida, Arcadia, and Laconia), Central Greece (Boeotia, Phthiotis, Phocis, and Evia, including Skyros), the North Aegean (Lesvos, Chios, Samos, and Ikaria), the Cyclades, and Achaia.
The dangerous 'hot-dry-windy' weather pattern is characterized by high temperatures reaching up to 39 degrees Celsius and strong northern winds, with gusts in the Aegean potentially reaching 8 to 9 Beaufort. These conditions significantly increase the likelihood of rapid fire spread.
In response, the state mechanism remains on high alert until Wednesday. Authorities, including the Fire Service, are increasing surveillance through aerial drone patrols and ground units. Civil protection authorities have issued strict prohibitions on activities that could trigger fires, such as burning vegetation, using outdoor barbecues, welding, or using pyrotechnics. Local authorities in affected areas have also been instructed to convene emergency coordination bodies to manage potential disasters.
Entities: Aegean Sea · Attica · Crete · Fire Service · General Secretariat for Civil Protection · General Secretariat of Civil Protection · Greece · Kostas Synolakis · Risk Assessment Committee
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Temperatures will reach up to 39 degrees Celsius locally. (General Secretariat for Civil Protection)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The state mechanism is on high alert until Wednesday. (General Secretariat for Civil Protection)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] 16 regions are under Red Code status. (General Secretariat for Civil Protection)
- [● 9 SOURCES] Attica, Boeotia, Evia, Crete, and several islands are under Red Code. (General Secretariat for Civil Protection)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Winds in the Aegean may reach 8 to 9 Beaufort. (National Meteorological Service)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Risk Assessment Committee met twice over the weekend. (Risk Assessment Committee)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Temperatures are predicted to drop from Thursday. (General Secretariat for Civil Protection)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Patrols with drones have been increased. (General Secretariat for Civil Protection)