Popular holiday destinations in Greece are at 'high risk' for wildfires, with the government announcing it would be 'mobilising resources' to manage the 'effects of the disaster'. Six regions are covered by the warning in place today, including Attica and Kythira, Crete, the Cyclades, Lesvos, Chios, Samos and Ikaria, Boeotia and Evia including Skyros, and Laconia in the Peloponnese.
Warning from Civil Protection
The warning came from Greece's Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, which stated: "According to the Daily Fire Risk Forecast Map Publishing Group of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, the risk of fires in the areas in question is predicted to be Very High (risk category 4)."
The statement added that a national response to the wildfire risk has been put "into full mobilisation", with the necessary resources to be activated as required. It read: "In the mobilization state (Red Code), the National Mechanism is put into full mobilization, activating and developing the necessary human resources and the corresponding needs, materials and means for preparedness in view of an imminent danger, for addressing emergency needs and managing the consequences of the occurrence of a catastrophic phenomenon, and short-term restoration, relief and support actions are launched to mitigate the effects of the disaster."
Tourist season and weather
The alert has been issued as Greek islands are still packed with domestic and international tourists. Greece remains hugely popular with British holidaymakers, with almost 4.9 million travellers from the UK visiting the country in 2025, according to the Bank of Greece.
Temperatures in Crete will reach up to 27C today, with wind gusts going up to 27mph. Meanwhile, those in Attica will experience temperatures of up to 31C today, with these going up to 33C towards the end of the week. Across the other regions highlighted in the warning, temperatures will remain in the high 20s and low 30s for the rest of the week, with wind gusts also forecast.
Summer of severe fires
Like most European countries, Greece has been battling severe wildfires this summer, with the catastrophic blazes also claiming numerous lives, including those of three firefighters in July. The emergency workers died as they were tackling wildfires in Crete and the Peloponnese region, both of which are once again at risk of wildfires according to today's warning.
Rory Clifford, 36, and Stephanie Harper, 35, had built their perfect home in the mountainous region of Peloponnese, in the south of the country. But just a week before they were due to relocate there from the UK in August, the parents' dream home was destroyed by the merciless flames.
At the time, Ms Harper told the Mirror: "We are a very resilient family but this has knocked it out of us completely. The emptiness and sorrow has been overwhelming. A dream and hard work not just from us but the Greek community who helped us achieve our home… just stolen in seconds. I can't describe the grief, as it's not just the house we built, it's all the cherished memories and the home we created inside."
