U.S. citizens in Greece are being reminded of the increased risk of wildfires during the summer months. The U.S. Mission in Greece has issued an alert highlighting that high temperatures, dry conditions, and strong winds can lead to wildfire outbreaks across the country.
The Greek Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection provides a Daily Fire Risk Map to inform residents and visitors about fire danger levels by region. According to the U.S. Mission, travelers should be vigilant, particularly in areas with elevated fire risk. Wildfires may cause disruptions such as road closures, power outages, and reduced air quality. Authorities may also order evacuations for areas near active fires.
Official updates from Greek authorities are available through Civil Protection Announcements on X/Twitter and Facebook, as well as Forest Fire Self-Protection Guidelines and information from the Hellenic Fire Service.
The U.S. Mission advises individuals to follow all instructions from Greek officials, register with Greece’s Emergency Communications Service for alerts if they do not have a smartphone, call 199 to report fires or 112 for emergency assistance, check with airlines or Athens International Airport for travel disruptions, carry identification at all times, review emergency contingency plans using resources like the Traveler’s Checklist, and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for security updates.
Contact information is provided for U.S. Embassy Athens and the U.S. Consulate General Thessaloniki for those seeking further assistance.