Greece will endure a three-day heatwave starting Tuesday with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), the country’s civil protection minister said Monday, warning of a high wildfire risk.
The heat “will peak on Wednesday and Thursday,” Vassilis Kikilias told reporters ahead of a cross-ministry meeting. As a result, he said Greece’s fire risk warning will be placed at a “very high” level of four on a scale of five.
Meteorologists had warned that temperatures could hit 43 degrees Celsius this week before falling at the weekend.
“Heat heats are not rare in our country, but they traditionally appear in July and August. The June heatwaves are particularly unusual – at least until recently – and we can characterize them as “early” heatwaves,” scientists at the National Observatory of Athens said.
The fire brigade expressed concern. The risk of forest fires is very high, especially in central Greece, after a winter with little rain and due to the unusually high temperatures since the beginning of June, the service wrote on the social media platform X.
Greece has adopted stiffer sentences for accidental and premeditated arson. From May 1 perpetrators will face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to 200,000 euros ($215,000).
The Greek Red Cross is advising people to stay out of the sun, close the shutters, drink plenty of fluids and eat lightly. People should keep in touch with friends and family to ensure that older people in particular are well.
The forecast for extreme temperatures led some municipalities to decide to keep schools closed or modify their operation.
The Interior Ministry has recommended that civil servants who belong to vulnerable health groups work at home until at least Thursday. Other civil servants should also be allowed to work at home at their request. Employees who normally work outdoors are to avoid working from in the hottest hours of the day, from noon to 5 p.m.
Scientists have warned of a hot summer in Greece with severe and regular heatwaves.
Last year’s heatwave became the longest in the country’s recorded history, according to a senior official with the National Observatory.
