Executive Summary for Extreme Wildfire Risk Across Greece
Greece is on high alert for wildfires as strong northerly winds combine with persistently high temperatures to create dangerous fire conditions across the country. Attica, Argolida and Lesvos, along with parts of Boeotia, Evia and Corinthia, are classified at the extreme risk level, while many other mainland and island regions are rated very high risk. Winds are forecast to reach eight to nine Beaufort in the Aegean over the coming 48 hours, keeping the risk of rapid fire spread elevated into the weekend.
- Date of Event: 13 August 2026 (elevated risk continuing through 15 August)
- Location: Attica, Argolida and Lesvos, with additional high-risk areas in Boeotia, Evia and Corinthia.
- Risk Category: Natural Disaster
- Severity Score: 4/5
- Confidence Level: 88%
What is Risk Analysis in the Context of Natural Disasters Events
Natural disasters event risk analysis assesses how strong winds, high temperatures and dry vegetation combine to increase the likelihood of fire ignition and rapid spread. In Greece, sustained northerly winds (meltemia) reaching gale force, paired with summer heat, can turn a small ignition into a fast-moving fire within a short period, straining firefighting resources and threatening populated areas.
Known Hotspots and Sensitive Areas
High Impact
- Attica and the surrounding metropolitan area
- Argolida
- Lesvos island
- Parts of Boeotia, Evia and Corinthia
Medium Impact
- Additional mainland regions
- Island regions across the Aegean exposed to strong meltemi winds
- Areas bordering the extreme-risk zones with dense vegetation
Low Impact
- Urban areas with limited vegetation cover
- Regions outside the red and orange fire-risk zones
- Areas not forecast to experience strong wind gusts
Impact on Transportation and Services
Strong winds of five to six Beaufort in the west, six to seven Beaufort in the east and locally up to eight to nine Beaufort in the Aegean are expected to affect ferry and coastal transport services. Temperatures are forecast to remain high, at 34 to 36 degrees Celsius in most areas and locally up to 37 degrees in western Sterea Ellada, adding further strain to outdoor operations and emergency response capacity.
Recommended Actions
- Avoid any outdoor burning or activities that could spark a fire in high-risk areas.
- Follow official alerts and instructions issued by Greece’s Civil Protection authorities.
- Prepare an evacuation plan if located in or near an extreme-risk zone.
- Avoid non-essential travel to forested or rural areas during the high-wind period.
Emergency Contacts
- Emergency Services: 112
- Fire Services: 199
Final Thoughts
The combination of extreme heat and strong winds presents a significant wildfire risk across Greece over the next 48 hours, with Attica, Argolida, Lesvos and parts of Boeotia, Evia and Corinthia facing the greatest exposure. Continued monitoring of official Civil Protection advisories is important as the wind event is expected to persist into the weekend before gradually weakening from Sunday. Leveraging MitKat’s Datasurfr enables businesses to receive real-time intelligence, monitor evolving threats and make informed decisions to protect people, assets and operations.