Greek authorities have issued heightened wildfire warnings for multiple regions on Monday, June 16, as strong winds and soaring temperatures continue to fuel dangerous fire conditions across the country.
According to Greece’s Fire Service, 44 agricultural and forest fires broke out in just the past 24 hours. Firefighters managed to contain 39 of them quickly, while five fires were still being battled late Sunday afternoon. Investigations into the causes of these fires are underway, with both local investigative units and the Arson Crimes Directorate involved.
The General Secretariat for Civil Protection has placed four regional units under an “orange alert” (very high fire risk): Lasithi and Heraklion on the island of Crete, as well as the islands of Samos and Ikaria in the eastern Aegean.
Meanwhile, a “red alert” — indicating extreme fire danger — has been issued for several other parts of the country, including the greater Athens region (Attica), southern Evia, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, Chios, and Lesvos.
Authorities are urging residents and visitors in the affected areas to remain vigilant, avoid outdoor activities that could spark fires, and follow any emergency instructions issued by local officials.
In recent years, wildfire destruction has surged, with damage in 2021 and 2023 far exceeding the decade average, according to EU data.
