tourism

EU Deploys 245 Firefighters to Greece Ahead of Peak Wildfire Season

Thursday, 2 July 2026/Source: Naftemporiki/1 min read

Greece is welcoming 245 European firefighters this fire season as part of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) pre-positioning program. These reinforcements are deployed ahead of peak wildfire risk periods, typically running from June through September, when dry heat and strong winds create dangerous conditions across Greek islands including Crete. The initiative places firefighting teams in position before fires break out, rather than waiting to request help after incidents begin. For visitors, this means enhanced emergency response capacity across the island during summer months. Tourists hiking or exploring rural and forested areas should still follow standard fire safety guidelines: avoid lighting fires in open areas, do not discard cigarettes in dry vegetation, and follow any local authority warnings or area closures. In case of emergency, the Greek emergency number is 112.

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