High risk of wildfires on Thursday in Rhodope Regional Unit
The General Secretariat for Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has issued a high wildfire risk warning (risk level 3) for the Rhodope Regional Unit for Thursday, July 3, 2025, according to the official Fire Risk Forecast Map (civilprotection.gov.gr).
As a precautionary measure, a ban on the passage, stay, and circulation of people and vehicles will be enforced in seven specified forested and park areas, with limited exceptions. Exceptions apply only to residents and workers within these areas, exclusively for commuting to and from their homes or workplaces, as well as persons traveling within the road network, in accordance with article 130 of law 4926/2022.
The affected areas are:
- Forest area of Nymfaia, Komotini Municipality
- Parkland of Mesa, coastal zone of Mesa, Komotini Municipality
- Recreation Area of Prophet Elias, west of Iasmos settlement, Iasmos Municipality
- Peri-urban Grove of Sapes, Maroneia-Sapes Municipality
- Parkland near the Tourist Imeros area, Maroneia-Sapes Municipality
- Coastal forest area of Kapsala, Imeros, Maroneia-Sapes Municipality
- Coastal forest area of Kryoneri, Maroneia-Sapes Municipality
The Autonomous Directorate of Civil Protection of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace urges citizens to exercise extreme caution and avoid outdoor activities that may cause accidental fires. Such activities include burning dry grass and pruning residues, using machinery that can produce sparks (e.g., disc saws, welding equipment), outdoor grilling, careless smoking, and discarding lit cigarettes.
Additionally, burning of agricultural fields is strictly prohibited during the fire prevention period.
In case of spotting a wildfire, citizens are asked to immediately notify the Fire Service at 199.
For further information and self-protection guidelines against forest fire risks, citizens can visit the General Secretariat for Civil Protection’s website at civilprotection.gov.gr.
