Greece on High Alert as Human Negligence Fuels Wildfire Crisis

As Greece faces one of the most dangerous weekends of the summer, authorities have placed several regions under the highest level of wildfire alert, citing extreme weather conditions and strong winds. Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Yiannis Kefalogiannis, warned on Saturday that the risk of wildfires across the country is “critically high,” and urged citizens to act with “absolute vigilance.”

“Today may be the most difficult day of this summer,” the Minister said in a live interview with OPEN TV. “The regions of Attica, Evia, and half the Peloponnese are in the red zone — that is, the highest alert level — while most of the rest of the country is under orange or yellow warning.” The statement comes as high temperatures and dry winds continue to create explosive conditions for potential fire outbreaks.

Kefalogiannis emphasized that the national response system is fully activated. “The state mechanism is on full alert. Ground forces, aerial units, volunteers, and municipal services are all working together, and they are ready to intervene at any moment,” he said.

However, the Minister pointed out that the most powerful tool in the fight against wildfires remains prevention — and that begins with individual responsibility. “Seven out of ten wildfires are caused by human activity,” he said. “I’m not saying we can eliminate all of them, but even if we manage to prevent half, that would be a major national achievement.”

He reiterated that the majority of these fires are not the result of arson but of negligence — mistakes that can be avoided. “It could be an unattended barbecue, burning garden waste, or throwing a cigarette out of a car window,” he said. “These are not malicious acts, but they have catastrophic consequences.”

Kefalogiannis made a heartfelt appeal to the public, repeating the word “caution” three times for emphasis. “Caution, caution, caution. This is not about blaming people. It’s about understanding the stakes. We are talking about protecting our homes, our lives, and the natural beauty of our country.”

He also encouraged people to speak up if they see risky behavior: “If we have a friend or neighbor who’s acting carelessly, we must step in and stop them. This is how we create a culture of responsibility.”

As fire risk maps show most of the country under significant threat, Greek authorities continue to patrol vulnerable areas, and firefighting units remain on standby. Citizens are urged to avoid any outdoor activities that could cause a spark and to report any signs of smoke immediately to emergency services.

With Greece still recovering from last year’s devastating wildfire season, the government hopes that a combination of strong preparedness and public awareness will prevent history from repeating itself.

Source: pagenews.gr