Is it safe to travel to Greece amid 'dangerous' wildfires in the country?

Numerous wildfires started at the weekend in Greece due to the hot, windy weather affecting most of the country. Residents were warned to avoid forested areas.

The Mediterranean nation has frequent wildfires. But in recent years, as summers have grown hotter, drier, and windier due to the effects of climate change, they have become more destructive.Following Greece's warmest winter on record and the catastrophic forest fires last summer, the country devised a new strategy that calls for accelerating air support, clearing woods, and sending an additional fire engine to every new wildfire.

So which areas of Greece have been affected and is it safe to travel there?

Here’s what you need to know.

Which Greek areas have been affected?

Hundreds of tourists and locals were evacuated on the Greek island of Kos on Monday night (July 1) as firefighters battled a large wildfire.

As the wildfire reached the seaside village of Kardamaina overnight, people took refuge in a sports centre and other venues, Christos Efstratiou, deputy governor for the Dodecanese islands, told Reuters.

The wildfire had abated by Tuesday morning, letting people return, and there was no damage to buildings, Mr Efstratiou reportedly said.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said: “It is a summer which is expected to be particularly dangerous [for wildfires]... the most difficult times are still ahead of us.”

On the island of Serifos, firefighters battled to contain a fire that started in low vegetation on Saturday (June 29) and swiftly spread due to strong winds. The fire caused damage to residences and forced the evacuation of many hamlets.The island's mayor, Kostas Revinthis, told Greek television that the blaze damaged holiday cottages and storehouses. The fire had spread across 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) at one point.Officials said by Sunday morning, another fire in the Parnitha mountain forest, which is close to a natural reserve just outside the capital Athens, had subsided.

After many fires broke out in the Attica region around Athens, authorities have ordered the evacuation of surrounding areas.

Vassilis Kikilias, Greece’s climate crisis and civil protection minister, issued an emergency warning late on Sunday (June 30).

Warnings were also issued for the island of Chios, where fires still raged on Monday, according to WalesOnline. Emergency services placed an evacuation order in western Chios' Metohi neighbourhood, urging residents and visitors to seek cover at a nearby beach.

Is it safe to travel to Greece?

Travelling to and staying in the above areas may be difficult given that many are being evacuated.

It is best to speak with the hotel and airline you have booked and follow their guidance.

You could also speak to your tour operator or travel agent. Though it's unlikely that you'll receive a refund, you might be able to adjust your travel dates, the location, or both.

The UK’s Foreign Office has the following generic advice about wildfires in Greece on its website:

There is a high risk of wildfires between April and October.

Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The situation can change quickly.

To avoid starting wildfires:

• leave no litter, especially not glass which is known to start fires

• make sure cigarettes are properly extinguished

• do not light barbecues

Causing a wildfire or a forest fire is a criminal offence in Greece — even if unintentional. If you see a fire, call the emergency services on 112.

Be cautious if you are in or near an area affected by wildfires:

• follow @112Greece for official updates.

• follow the guidance of the emergency services.

• call the Greek emergency services on 112 if you are in immediate danger.

• contact your airline or travel operator who can assist you with return travel to the UK

Register for alerts from the Greek government’s emergency communication service (in Greek):

• for iPhones, go to Settings > Notifications and enable the ‘Emergency Alerts’ option at the bottom.

• for Android 11 and higher, go to Settings > Notifications > Advanced Settings > Wireless Emergency Alerts.

• for Samsung devices go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Notifications > Emergency Notifications and enable the ‘Emergency Alerts’ option.

For further information, see Greece’s Civil Protection website (in Greek).

Which islands aren’t affected by the wildfires?

Greece has more than 200 inhabited islands and holidays are understood to be taking place as usual in most of these.

Some of the safer areas include the Sporades (Alonissos, Skiathos, Skopelos and Skyros); the northern resorts of Thessaloniki; and the Cyclades Islands (Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Antiparos, Delos, Ios, Kea, Kimolos, Kythnos, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Folegandros, Santorini, Sifnos, Sikinos, Syros, and Tinos).