May 1 each year marks the start of the restrictions on both locals and visitors to Greece to prevent wildfires during the summer season. Contravention of the rules can incur heavy fines, or even imprisonment.

The vast majority of wildfires are caused by people!

The rules in place are:-

• Fires to dispose of household and garden waste are forbidden from May 1 until October 31.
• The lighting of outdoor grills/BBQs in the countryside, or in areas with dry grass is prohibited.
• Tasks that could cause a fire (eg welding, or other tools that create sparks) are banned in rural areas.
• Do not throw away lit cigarettes in rural areas, especially from vehicles as these can cause fires at the roadside that can rapidly spread.
• Do not leave rubbish in forested areas, as this can lead to spontaneous ignition.
• Do not park vehicles over dry foliage, as hot exhausts can cause fires.
• Fireworks and flying lanterns are banned.

Respect any prohibitions of access to high-risk areas such as forests when introduced.

If you see smoke, flames, or anything that could lead to a fire call the Fire Department immediately on 199 or 112

• Do not assume that someone else has raised the alarm.
• Do not hang up the phone before giving all the necessary information including:
  – your location and the location of the fire
  – the direction of the fire
  – the intensity of the wind in the area
  – the type of vegetation that is burning
• Do not block access to forested areas