Which are the six regions most at risk – GPPP recommendations to citizens
Very high fire risk (risk category 4) today for the regions of Attica, Central Greece, Peloponnese, Crete, South and North Aegean
A very high risk of fire (risk category 4) is predicted today, Sunday, July 16, 2023, for six regions of Greece, according to the Fire Risk Prediction Map issued by the general secretariat of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr ).
Specifically for today, Sunday July 16, 2023, a very high risk of fire (risk category 4) is predicted for the following areas:
- Region of Attica (including the island of Kythira)
- Region of Central Greece (PE Boeotia, PE Evia)
- Peloponnese Region (Corinthia Region, Argolis Region, Laconia Region)
- South Aegean Region (Cyclades)
- North Aegean Region (Lesvos Region, Chios Region, Samos Region, Ikaria Region)
- Region of Crete
The general secretariat of Civil Protection and the team issuing the Fire Risk Prediction Map point out that in the coming days the risk of forest fires will be very high in many areas of the country, as favorable conditions will prevail for their occurrence.
The general secretariat of Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr) of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, in collaboration with the Fire Brigade, has informed the competent government agencies involved in the service, as well as the Regions and Municipalities of the above regions, so that they are on increased alertness civil protection in order to immediately deal with any fire incidents.
At the same time, the GPP recommends that citizens be especially careful and avoid activities in the open air that can cause a fire by negligence, such as burning dry grass and branches or cleaning residues, the use of machines that cause sparks such as circular saws, welding devices, the use outdoor grills, smoking bees, throwing lit cigarettes, etc.
In addition, the personnel of the Fire Services of the above regional units are on partial alert in order to deal with the increased service demands, which may arise due to a very high risk of fire (risk category 4).
Also, the 2nd stage of operational readiness of the P.S. and there will be aerial surveillance patrols, as well as patrols by Fire, Police and Military forces.’
At the same time, for the above areas, the Plan of Civil Protection actions to deal with risks due to forest fires is being implemented, according to which, among other things, the implementation of the measure of the preventive ban on vehicle traffic and the stay of excursionists in national forests, forests and “vulnerable” areas.
The Fire Brigade appeals to the citizens:
1. Be especially careful and avoid actions in the open air that can cause a fire by negligence, such as
i. burning dry grasses and branches or cleaning residues,
ii. the use of machines that cause sparks such as circular saws, welding devices,
iii. the use of outdoor grills,
iv. smoking bees,
v. throwing lit cigarettes, etc.
2. To monitor forest fire prevention information available on the website and official accounts of the Fire Department, Facebook and Twitter.
3. In the event that they notice a fire, they should immediately notify the Fire Service by dialing 199.
Finally, the Fire Brigade calls on all citizens to be especially careful and in the event of a fire, for their own safety, to faithfully follow the instructions of the competent authorities.
It is reminded that during the fire prevention season burning of fields is prohibited.
For more information and self-protection instructions from the dangers of forest fires, citizens can visit the website of the General Secretariat of Civil Protection at www.civilprotection.gr.
Where were the highest temperatures recorded yesterday?
Heatwave conditions prevailed yesterday, Saturday 15/07 in many areas of the country. According to the network of automatic weather stations of the National Observatory of Athens / Meteo.gr, the maximum temperatures fluctuated at very high levels, exceeding 40 degrees in many areas. 33 meteorological stations recorded maximums above 40 degrees, of which 7 recorded maximums above 42 degrees Celsius, while in South Crete the maximums exceeded 44 degrees Celsius.
Recommendations of the GPP to citizens
Recommendations to the citizens to be especially careful, taking care to take self-protection measures from risks arising from the prevalence of high temperatures, the general secretariat of Civil Protection addresses.
In the areas where high temperatures are expected to prevail, the general secretariat of Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr) draws attention to people belonging to vulnerable groups to be especially careful in the coming days, in order to avoid health problems, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which may be caused by the high temperatures that will prevail.
In particular, according to the guidelines for self-protection against high temperatures, citizens are advised to:
- Stay in cool and shady places away from crowds, use air conditioners or fans and avoid heavy physical work in places with high temperature, apnea and high humidity.
- Avoid sunbathing, as well as walking or running under the sun and wear a hat and sunglasses and light-colored clothing made of fabric that allows the skin to air and facilitates the evaporation of sweat, avoiding synthetic fabrics.
- Consume light meals with fruits and vegetables, limiting fats and the amount of food.
- Drink plenty of water and fruit juices, avoiding alcoholic beverages.
Special care is recommended for babies and young children, as well as the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases to protect them from high temperatures.
