The Fire Risk Forecast Map issued by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection places several regions of Greece under extreme fire danger — Alert Status (Risk Category 5) — on Friday, August 14, 2026, while a very high fire risk (Category 4) is forecast for numerous additional areas.
Which regions are under extreme fire danger on Friday
The following regions are placed under extreme fire danger — Alert Status (Risk Category 5):
- Attica Region
- Central Greece Region (Regional Units of Boeotia, Euboea)
- Peloponnese Region (Regional Units of Argolis, Corinthia)
Very high fire risk (Risk Category 4) for the following regions:
- Attica Region (island of Kythira)
- Peloponnese Region (Regional Units of Corinthia, Arcadia, Laconia)
- Western Greece Region (Regional Units of Achaea, Elis)
- Ionian Islands Region (Regional Unit of Zakynthos)
- Central Greece Region (Regional Units of Phocis, Phthiotis, Euboea including the island of Skyros)
- Thessaly Region (Regional Unit of Sporades)
- North Aegean Region
- Central Macedonia Region (Regional Unit of Chalkidiki and Mount Athos)
- Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Region (Regional Units of Kavala, Thassos, Xanthi, Rhodope, Evros including the island of Samothrace)
- South Aegean Region (Regional Units of the Cyclades)
- Crete Region
The General Secretariat for Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr), operating under the Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, has notified all competent state agencies, as well as the Regional and Municipal authorities of the above-mentioned areas, to remain on heightened civil protection alert in order to respond swiftly to any fire incidents.
The General Secretariat for Civil Protection is also urging citizens to exercise extreme caution and to avoid any outdoor activities that could negligently cause a fire, such as burning dry grass and branches or garden waste, using spark-producing machinery such as angle grinders and welding equipment, using outdoor barbecues, smoking out beehives, discarding lit cigarettes, and similar actions. It is also reminded that burning of agricultural fields is strictly prohibited during the fire season. Should citizens spot a fire, they are urged to immediately notify the Fire Service by calling 199.
Risk Assessment Committee convenes: Gale-force winds up to force 9 expected Friday
It is noted that earlier today, Thursday, August 13, the Secretary General for Civil Protection, Nikos Papaeustathiou, convened the Risk Assessment Committee. The meeting focused on the progression of the gale-force winds already battering large parts of the country, which are expected to continue and intensify, peaking on Friday, August 14, and significantly heightening concerns over the outbreak and rapid spread of wildfires.
⚠️ 🔔 ATTENTION: Extreme Fire Risk 5️⃣ for tomorrow Thursday 13/08 in:
🔴 #Attica
🔴 #Boeotia #Euboea
🔴 #Argolis #Corinthia
🔴 #Lesvos🔗 https://t.co/TN0UdGq4tS
ℹ️ https://t.co/RFfYoShzB5 pic.twitter.com/lvhlTHuAtL— Civil Protection GR (@CivPro_GR) August 12, 2026
According to the Committee’s scientists:
a. For today, Thursday, August 13, north to northeasterly winds of force 5 to 7 are expected in Thrace, and force 6 to 8 in the islands of the Northern and Eastern Aegean.
In central and eastern Central Greece, Euboea, and the eastern and southern Peloponnese, winds will reach force 5 to 7, while in the Attica-Boeotia area and southern Euboea they may locally reach force 8. In the Cyclades, northerly winds of force 6 to 7 are expected, locally reaching force 8 in the north, while in Crete, westerly to northwesterly winds of force 4 to 6 are forecast, locally reaching force 7 in the west.
b. Tomorrow, Friday, August 14, a further significant strengthening of winds is expected.
In Thrace, north to northeasterly winds will reach force 6 to 7, while in the islands of the Northern and Eastern Aegean they will reach force 7 to 8, locally force 9. In the eastern and southern Peloponnese and Kythira, winds will blow at force 5 to 7, locally force 8. In the Attica-Boeotia area and Euboea, winds will reach force 7 to 8, while in eastern and southern Attica and southern Euboea they may locally reach force 9. In the Central Aegean and the Cyclades, winds will reach force 7 to 8, locally force 9. In Crete, north to northwesterly winds of force 5 to 7 are forecast, locally reaching force 8 in the west, while in the Dodecanese northwesterly winds of force 6 to 7 are expected.
c. On Saturday, August 15, the strong winds will persist, with speeds of force 5 to 7 in Thrace and the eastern and southern Peloponnese, and force 6 to 8 in the islands of the Northern and Eastern Aegean.
In the Attica-Boeotia area and Euboea, winds will reach force 6 to 7, with temporary local gusts up to force 8. In the Central Aegean they will blow at force 7 to 8, temporarily reaching force 9 locally, while in the Cyclades they will range from force 6 to 8, mainly reaching force 9 locally in the north. In Crete, winds will reach force 5 to 7, and in the Kasos–Karpathos area force 6 to 8.
d. On Sunday, August 16, winds are forecast to ease further; however, in the eastern and southern parts of the country, during the early hours of the day, wind speeds will continue to reach force 6 to 7. The Risk Assessment Committee will reconvene tomorrow morning.
Friday’s weather forecast: Gale-force winds up to force 9 and thunderstorms
A further deterioration of fire-weather conditions is expected on Thursday and Friday (August 13–14, 2026) across a large part of the country. More specifically, northerly/northeasterly winds will intensify significantly (40–60 km/h, locally above 60–70 km/h) and will be accompanied on Thursday (August 13, 2026) by atmospheric drought conditions, mainly in the west (Hot-Dry-Windy).
On Friday (August 14), moisture in the troposphere is expected to create conditions favorable for pyroconvection, mainly in the western parts of the country. Pyroconvection is defined as an extreme process whereby a large wildfire interacts intensely with the atmosphere, effectively causing the fire to generate its own weather. Forest fuel flammability will be very high across much of the country, particularly in the west and north. FORECAST FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026
In central Macedonia and Thessaly, temporarily increased cloud cover with local rain and isolated thunderstorms is expected. Across the rest of the country, generally sunny conditions will prevail, with local cloud cover in Crete and the Dodecanese, and in the afternoon hours in the west, where local rain or showers are expected, with isolated thunderstorms in Epirus. Winds will blow from the north to northeast, at force 4 to 6 in the west, force 6 to 7 in the east, and force 8 in the Aegean, possibly reaching force 9 locally. Temperatures will see a slight drop.
