Greece faces extreme wildfire risk as authorities step up readiness

Greece is facing extreme wildfire danger on Thursday, with five regions placed under the highest Category 5 alert as authorities strengthen firefighting measures amid hot, dry and windy conditions.

Five regions under highest alert

Category 5 fire danger has been declared in Attica, Boeotia and Evia, Argolis and Corinthia, and Lesvos.

Large parts of the country are also under Category 4, or very high fire danger, including areas of the Peloponnese, western Greece, the Ionian Islands, Epirus, Thessaly, Central Macedonia and eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

Firefighters in Category 5 areas have been placed on full standby, while aerial surveillance and patrols by fire, police and military units are continuing.

Authorities have also restricted access to some forests, national parks and other high-risk areas.

Three arrested over recent fires

Three people have been arrested in separate cases linked to wildfires in Argolida, Attica and Rhodope.

The arrests involved alleged unsafe burning, cutting-wheel work near vegetation and agricultural work with a tractor-mounted brush cutter.

The Fire Service said that from January 1 through August 12, authorities had imposed 696 administrative fines totaling more than 1 million euros and made 285 arrests for wildfire-related offences.

Seasonal firefighters receive more working hours

The government has approved additional working hours for seasonal firefighters as Greece enters another critical phase of the wildfire season.

Each seasonal firefighter will receive additional allowances for overtime, night shifts and work on Sundays and public holidays. The measure is expected to cost about 3 million euros.

Seasonal firefighters have also called for year-round employment and greater recognition of their experience.

Government invests in fire protection

Greece has approved 1.7 million euros for fire protection upgrades at 10 childcare facilities in Kozani and 58 schools in Eordaia.

The projects will include fire detection and alarm systems, firefighting equipment, emergency lighting and fire-resistant doors and partitions.

Wildfires seen as long-term economic risk

Michael Arghyrou, chief economic adviser to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has described wildfires and extreme heat as a medium- to long-term fiscal risk for Greece and the wider Mediterranean.

The government is planning investment in water and energy infrastructure in tourism-dependent regions, while exploring measures to increase insurance coverage against climate-related disasters.

Authorities are urging residents and visitors to avoid activities that could cause fires and to follow official instructions. Any fire should be reported immediately to the Fire Service.