Parks and groves of the Attica Region will remain closed today, due to the extreme risk of fire. This is a preventive measure that is being implemented, as Attica is at extreme risk of fire.

"For the first time so early in June we have an index of 5 in Attica and 4 in other regions. That is, we are in a code red alert state. We must all be vigilant. No negligence, no movement, no action that can lead to tragic consequences for our environment or to the loss of even one human life", said the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias.

The announcement about the closed parks in Attica
Extreme (State of Alert - Category 5) will be the risk of fire on Friday, June 21, 2024 in areas of the Region of Attica according to the attached Fire Risk Prediction Map issued today Thursday, June 20, 2024 by the General Secretariat of Civil Protection.

Risk Category 5 (State of Alert): The risk is extreme. The number of fires expected to occur is likely to be very large. All fires that are likely to occur can quickly become large and develop extreme behavior immediately after they occur. The difficulty of control is expected to be very great until the conditions under which fires develop change.

In addition, as regards Kythera, the risk of fire will be very high on Friday 21-06-2024 (risk category 4),.

Risk Category 4 means that the risk of fire is very high. The number of fires expected to occur is likely to be large, but, most importantly, any fire can become large if it escapes the initial outbreak.

According to the forecast data of the National Observatory of Athens / meteo.gr, maximum temperatures of 44-46 degrees Celsius are expected on Monday, August 2, 2021, while the risk of occurrence and spread of forest fires remains very high, at least until next Monday. (02 / 08-03 / 08).

The forecast map below shows the maximum temperatures for Monday 02/08 with the whitest shade corresponding to temperatures higher than 42 degrees Celsius (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Maximum temperatures for Monday 02/08/2021 from the forecast model of the National Observatory of Athens / meteo.gr.

Also, particularly unfavorable pyro-meteorological conditions are expected to prevail in the country throughout the week. Thus the peak of the heat wave is expected to be accompanied by the peak of the danger for the occurrence and spread of forest fires.

Based on the Canadian pyrometeorological index calculated operationally by the National Observatory of Athens / meteo.gr, a very high risk is expected today, Monday, August 2, 2021, in Attica, Boeotia, South Evia, Peloponnese, Crete, Cyclades, Cyclades, M , Ikaria, Lefkada, Cephalonia, Zakynthos, Epirus, Western Sterea, Western Macedonia, Western Thessaly, and in places in Central Macedonia and Evros.

[caption id="attachment_182720" align="alignnone" width="600"] Figure 2: Danger for occurrence and spread of forest fires based on the Canadian fire meteorological index that is operationally calculated by the National Observatory of Athens / meteo.gr for Monday 02/08/2021.[/caption]

Tomorrow, Tuesday, August 3, 2021, is expected to be even more dangerous, as we expect a very high risk in most of our country, and especially in: Attica, Viotia, Fthiotida, Evia, Peloponnese, Crete, Cyclades, Dodecanese, Mytilene, Mytilene Samothrace, Chios, Samos, Ikaria, Lefkada, Cephalonia, Zakynthos, Epirus, Western Sterea, Macedonia, Thessaly, and in places in Evros (Figure 3).

It is pointed out that the prolonged heat conditions prevailing in the country have increased the flammability of dead fuel to extremely high levels in almost the entire territory, making any use of fire extremely dangerous. The National Observatory of Athens / meteo.gr appeals to avoid any use of fire today and in the next few days, in order to avoid the possibility of a fire.