Parapolitika.gr

Greece wildfire alert: “Hot-Dry-Windy” phenomenon threatens 27 regions

Greece’s state emergency mechanism is being placed on full alert on Thursday, August 13, due to an extreme wildfire risk (category 5), forecast for Attica, Eastern Central Greece and Euboea, as well as the Northeastern…

Greece wildfire alert: “Hot-Dry-Windy” phenomenon threatens 27 regions
Greece
newsroom

Greece’s state emergency mechanism is being placed on full alert on Thursday, August 13, due to an extreme wildfire risk (category 5), forecast for Attica, Eastern Central Greece and Euboea, as well as the Northeastern Peloponnese and the Northern Aegean, according to the Fire Risk Forecast Map issued by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection. A very high fire risk (category 4) is also forecast for a large part of the country.

Read more: Weather forecast: Winds up to force 9 Beaufort for at least the next six days — elevated wildfire risk persists (Video)

Specifically, an extreme wildfire risk — state of alarm (risk category 5) — is forecast for the following regions:

  • Region of Attica
  • Region of Central Greece (Regional Units of Boeotia and Euboea)
  • Region of Peloponnese (Regional Units of Argolis and Corinthia)
  • Region of North Aegean (Regional Unit of Lesbos)


A very high wildfire risk (risk category 4) is forecast for the following regions:

  • Region of Attica (island of Kythira)
  • Region of Peloponnese (Regional Units of Corinthia, Arcadia and Laconia)
  • Region of Western Greece
  • Region of Ionian Islands (Regional Units of Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca and Zakynthos)
  • Region of Epirus (Regional Units of Arta and Preveza)
  • Region of Central Greece (Regional Units of Boeotia, Phocis, Phthiotis and Euboea, including the island of Skyros)
  • Region of Thessaly (Regional Unit of Sporades)
  • Region of North Aegean
  • Region of Central Macedonia (Regional Unit of Chalkidiki and Mount Athos)
  • Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (Regional Units of Kavala, Thassos, Xanthi, Rhodope and Evros, including the island of Samothrace)
  • Region of South Aegean (Regional Units of the Cyclades)

The General Secretariat for Civil Protection has notified all relevant state agencies, as well as the regional and municipal authorities of the affected areas, to maintain heightened civil protection readiness in order to respond swiftly to any fire incidents.

Weather: “Hot-Dry-Windy” — strong winds, heat and drought threaten 27 regions with wildfires

Greece is facing the “Hot-Dry-Windy” phenomenon over the next 48 hours, with weather conditions deteriorating further and creating a highly dangerous wildfire landscape across the country.

According to a warning issued by the “Flame” team at Meteo, a combination of gale-force winds, intense heat and dry conditions is creating an “explosive cocktail” for wildfires.

The affected areas include:

  • Attica
  • Central and Southern Euboea
  • Southern Boeotia
  • Phocis
  • Corinthia
  • Argolis
  • Laconia
  • Kythira
  • Mytilene
  • Lemnos
  • Chios
  • Western Achaia
  • Elis

Additionally, localized impacts are expected in:

  • Aetolia-Acarnania
  • Messenia
  • Arcadia
  • Central and Eastern Macedonia
  • Xanthi
  • Rhodope
  • Evros
  • Thassos
  • Samothrace
  • Samos
  • Lefkada
  • Kefalonia
  • Zakynthos
  • Southern Crete

Key characteristics: A further deterioration of fire weather conditions is expected on Thursday and Friday (August 13–14, 2026) across a large part of the country. North-northeasterly winds will intensify significantly (40–60 km/h, locally exceeding 60–70 km/h) and will combine on Thursday (August 13, 2026) with atmospheric dryness — predominantly in the western regions — creating classic Hot-Dry-Windy conditions. Furthermore, on Friday (August 14, 2026), mid-tropospheric moisture transport is expected, which will generate conditions conducive to pyroconvection development, particularly in western areas. Forest fuel flammability will be very high across much of the country, especially in the west and north. Bulletin FLAME-W-009 / 08.08.2026 remains in effect.

Expected impacts: Very high to locally extreme potential for wind-driven wildfires. Rapid fire spread, high heat loads and a significantly elevated risk of spotting. Extreme fire behavior is possible, particularly in lee areas where winds create locally severe hot-dry conditions. Intense fire behavior may also occur overnight in isolated locations. Localized pyroconvection potential, primarily in the west.

State of readiness: This Dangerous Fire Weather Warning signals the onset of hazardous fire weather conditions. Any fires that break out will be extremely difficult to control. Remain on alert. Avoid any action that could ignite a fire. This Dangerous Fire Weather Warning is the product of research conducted at the Institute of Environmental Research and Sustainable Development (IERSD) of the National Observatory of Athens and does not replace official forecasts and announcements by the competent authorities.

Fire service on full alert across alarm-state regions

The Hellenic Fire Service has announced that aerial surveillance patrols are continuing, along with ground patrols by Fire Service, Police and Military units. In addition, all Fire Service personnel whose area of responsibility falls under an extreme wildfire risk (risk category 5) have been placed on full general alert. Personnel in areas with a very high wildfire risk (risk category 4) have been placed on partial alert, in accordance with the Fire Risk Forecast Map issued by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection.

Simultaneously, the Civil Protection Action Plan for managing wildfire risks is being implemented across the affected areas. Among other measures, this includes a preventive ban on vehicle access and visitor presence in national parks, forests and vulnerable areas. All relevant state services, regional authorities and municipalities in the affected areas have been notified in close coordination with the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, to ensure they maintain heightened readiness and implement all measures within their jurisdiction.

Related Posts