Greece Faces Heatwave with 48-Degree Perceived Temperature and High Fire Risk

Greece is grappling with an intense and prolonged heatwave, as temperatures soared to 41.5 degrees Celsius on Monday, with the perceived temperature hitting a scorching 48 degrees in some locations.

The extreme heat has prompted authorities to elevate the wildfire risk alert across several regions. The Peloponnese peninsula in the south saw temperatures exceeding 41 degrees, while the western city of Preveza registered the highest perceived temperature of 48 degrees, according to the National Observatory of Athens. The capital region of Attica, the island of Euboea, and other central and southern areas are now under a "very high risk of fires" warning.

Firefighters are actively battling two forest fires in the northern Kilkis region and the southern Elis region. While these fires currently do not threaten populated areas, the dry conditions and high temperatures create a volatile environment. The situation remains challenging even in Athens, where nighttime temperatures have not dropped below 30 degrees Celsius in recent days.

Looking ahead, the heat is expected to persist, with strengthening northerly winds on Tuesday further increasing the wildfire risk. A slight dip in temperatures is forecast for Thursday and Friday, but a return to highs around 40 degrees is expected by Saturday for most of the country.

This year has already seen over 30,000 hectares of land consumed by fires, largely due to two major incidents in late July. Tragically, 11 people have lost their lives in the fires so far this year, including four firefighters, underscoring the severe danger posed by the ongoing heatwave and fire season.