Greece on 'Red Code' alert for extreme fire risk on August 1

Greece is bracing for extreme fire risk on Saturday, August 1, 2026, as the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection issued "Red Code" alerts for multiple regions. The decision followed a meeting of the Civil Protection Coordination Body, convened due to exceptionally dangerous weather conditions, including unprecedentedly strong winds.

Minister Evangelos Tournas highlighted that the gale-force winds are severely hampering the work of operational forces, particularly aerial firefighting units. These winds prevent water collection and drops, leaving ground crews to battle fires largely on their own. Tournas expressed deep sorrow for the three firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The ministry emphasized that the entire civil protection mechanism, including the Fire Service, Armed Forces, security forces, local authorities, forestry services, and volunteers, is engaged in a monumental effort to combat numerous incidents that are stretching resources thin.

Citizens are being urged to contribute by avoiding any actions that could ignite a fire and by adhering strictly to the instructions of the authorities and emergency alerts sent via 112. The forecast indicates an extreme fire risk (Category 5) for Attica and parts of Central Greece (Evia), with very high risk (Category 4) in several other regions, including the Peloponnese, North and South Aegean islands, Crete, Western Greece, and Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.