Location: Greece
Event: Potential for Wildfire Risk and Heat Related Illness Around Greece Due to Ongoing Extreme High Temperatures Throughout the Country
The U.S. Mission in Greece alerts U.S. citizens to the potential for wildfires in Attica, and high risk of wildfires in many regions of Greece due to ongoing extreme high temperatures throughout the country. In addition, the U.S. Mission in Greece reminds U.S. citizens to take precautions to avoid heat related illness. The General Secretariat for Civil Protection has announced Very High Fire Risk (Risk Category 4) for many areas in Greece, which can be seen on the Daily Fire Risk Map. This high risk of fire is expected to continue in the coming days. U.S. citizens should exercise extreme caution in affected areas. Wildfires may create additional disruptions in the wider areas, such as power and/or water outages, poor air quality, and road closures. Extreme high temperatures are expected during peak hours. Please take the necessary precautions to stay safe and hydrated. Avoid strenuous outdoor activities and seek shade or air-conditioned environments when possible. Remember to check on vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly and young children. Stay safe and take care.
U.S. citizens living in or traveling near any of the affected areas should follow instructions from local authorities and closely monitor the local media and emergency alerts. The following resources contain official information about the wildfires:
· Civil Protection Announcements
· Civil Protection Forest Fire Self-Protection Guidelines
· Daily Fire Prediction Map
· Hellenic Fire Service
Actions to Take:
· Follow all Greek government announcements and instructions.
· Register with Greece’s Emergency Communications Service for warning messages by SMS, e-mail, or voicemail if you don’t have a smart phone. Registration is not required if you have a smartphone.
· Call the Fire Service call center at 199 to report a fire.
· Call the Emergency Communications Service at 112 for emergency assistance.
· Check with airlines or the Athens International Airport (+30-210-353-0000) if service or transportation routes may be affected.
· Carry identity and travel documents with you at all times.
· U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
· Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
U.S. citizens living in or traveling to Greece are further encouraged to download the new digital application called “mAIGreece” implemented by the Greek Ministry of Tourismhttps://www.gov.gr/en/upourgeia/upourgeio-tourismou/tourismou/maigreece. This application acts as a personalized travel companion to all visitors and provides them with all information they need while in Greece. It also has an emergency 112 button, which sends an SMS to the operations center of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection with the user’s geographical location. Visitors to Greece will receive a text message (SMS) on their cell phone with a link to the app when they enter the country. “mAiGreece” can be downloaded for free on mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, through the App Store and Play Store. The connection to the app will be made with the visitor’s Google, Apple or Facebook account.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Athens
+(30) 210-721-2951
AthensAmericanCitizenServices@state.gov
https://gr.usembassy.gov
U.S. Consulate General Thessaloniki
+(30) 2310-376-300
State Department – Consular Affairs
(888) 407-4747 or (202) 501-4444
Greece Country Information
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
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