Red alert in Apokoronas: extreme fire danger declared for Saturday, August 16

Summary

Apokoronas municipality has declared a Red Code mobilisation for Saturday, August 16, 2026, following an official fire-danger forecast of Category 4 — "Very High." A preventive ban on entering, stopping, or driving through sensitive natural areas is in force for the day, and a wide range of fire-related activities are strictly prohibited. Anyone who spots a fire should call the fire service immediately on 199 or the European emergency number 112.

Red alert declared across Apokoronas for August 16, 2026

Apokoronas municipality has placed the entire area on its highest state of emergency — known as Red Code — for Saturday, August 16, 2026. The trigger is an official fire-danger forecast at Category 4, classified as "Very High." All available municipal staff and equipment are being put on full standby for the day.

Who is affected

The alert applies to everyone in the municipality — residents, farmers, and visitors alike. A preventive ban is in place prohibiting any person or vehicle from entering, remaining in, or passing through designated sensitive natural areas. This is a legally binding order, not a general advisory, and failure to comply carries serious administrative and criminal penalties.

What is banned on this day

The municipality has issued a clear reminder of activities that are absolutely forbidden whenever a Red Code is in effect:

Burning crop residues, grassland, or pasture
Lighting any open fire outdoors — including for religious ceremonies, cultural events, entertainment, or film productions
Smoking out beehives
Hot works that produce sparks — welding, metal angle-grinding, and similar activities
Using outdoor grills or barbecues of any kind, with any fuel
Releasing sky lanterns or hot-air balloons
Using fireworks or any pyrotechnic devices

Breaking any of these rules can result in both administrative fines and criminal prosecution.

If you see a fire

Act immediately. Call the fire service on 199 or use the pan-European emergency number 112. Give the operator the most precise information you can about the location of the fire — every second matters.

Official source

CIVIL PROTECTION PRESS RELEASE — MUNICIPALITY OF APOKORONAS

The Civil Protection service of the Municipality of Apokoronas announces that on Saturday 16/08/2026 the Municipality of Apokoronas is placed on a state of mobilisation (Red Code) due to a Fire Danger Forecast of (VERY HIGH – 4). The mobilisation and readiness of equipment and personnel is deemed necessary. The measure of preventive prohibition of passage, presence and circulation of persons and vehicles in sensitive areas enters into force.

WE REMIND YOU: Strictly prohibited are:

The burning of crop residues, grassland areas, pastures, etc.

The use of fire in the open for any event (religious, cultural, entertainment, film productions, etc.).

Smoking in beehives.

The carrying out of hot works that cause sparks (welding, metal cutting disc, etc.).

The use of outdoor grills, barbecues, any type of fuel.

The use of airborne flying lanterns or balloons (Sky Lanterns).

The use of pyrotechnic items.

Non-compliance results in strict administrative and criminal sanctions.

AS SOON AS WE NOTICE A FIRE, WE IMMEDIATELY CALL THE FIRE SERVICE ON 199 OR 112 AND PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIRE.