Forest fires in Greece: is it safe for tourists and should you cancel your vacation?

Greece continues to suffer from forest fires. The emergency began on Sunday, August 11. The fire continues to affect the suburbs of northern Athens, and as of August 13, an evacuation warning was issued in the seaside town of Nea Makri.

More than 700 firefighters are battling the blaze, which is spreading due to record high temperatures and strong winds. The Times explains how serious the danger is and whether tourists should cancel their vacations.

Which regions are the most dangerous

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has warned that the end of summer will be particularly dangerous due to wildfires, and the country will double its firefighting forces and introduce new extinguishing tactics. Fire service spokesman Vassilios Vatrakogiannis added that the flames are currently active mainly around the towns of Marathon and Penteli. The body of one person was found by firefighters in a store in Vrilissia, on the outskirts of northern Athens.

The fire reached a height of 25 meters, so the authorities had to evacuate residents of more than a dozen neighborhoods to hotels and temporary shelters. The fires continue to burn in the north of Athens, in a forested area near the villages of Varnavas and Penteli.

Several planes and water bombing helicopters are trying to stop the further spread of the flames that reached Mount Pentelikus on August 12. Half of Greece is in a state of high alert.

Which islands are not affected

In general, there is no reason to cancel trips to popular islands. Crete, Rhodes and Kos were not affected by the fires.

Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Sifnos, Sikinos, Syros and Tinos, Sporades, Alonnisos, Skiathos, Skopelos and Skiros and the northern resorts of Thessaloniki are currently safe for tourists, according to authorities.

However, the heat wave continues, which means that travelers should be careful and take the necessary measures to protect themselves.

Subscribe to OBOZ.UA's Telegram and Viberchannels to keep up with the latest developments.