Chalkidiki region bans forest access amid high fire‑risk alert

Effective from 08:00 to 20:00 on 9 July, the regional governor of Chalkidiki ordered a ban on pedestrians and wheeled vehicles in designated forest zones of the municipalities of Kassandras, Sithonia and Aristotelis. The areas include the Kassandras Peninsula, the “Koryfogrimí” ridge, Arapis and Chalkobouni in Palouri, the Sithonia Peninsula and Dragoundeli ridge, and parts of Aristotelis from Komitsa to Uranoupoli. Enforcement will be carried out at forest‑road entrances with the support of the Greek police; violators face an administrative fine of €300. The measure aims to protect human life, forest ecosystems and public property as fire‑danger level 3 has been declared.

The General Secretariat of Civil Protection also issued a heightened alert for Central Macedonia, covering Thessaloniki, Chalkidiki and Kilkis, and extended the high‑risk warning to islands such as Samos and Rhodes. Citizens are urged to avoid outdoor fires, burning dry grass, using spark‑producing tools, barbecuing, or discarding lit cigarettes. The authorities stress immediate reporting of any smoke or fire signs.