Red alert in Apokoronas: Extreme fire danger declared for Saturday

Summary

Apokoronas Civil Protection has placed the municipality on Red Code mobilisation for Saturday, August 8, 2026, due to a Very High fire danger forecast (Level 4). All residents and visitors face a strict ban on open fires, outdoor grilling, fireworks, welding and even smoking near beehives. Anyone spotting smoke or flames should call the fire service immediately on 199 or the emergency number 112.

Red Code: Apokoronas on maximum fire alert this Saturday

Apokoronas has been placed on its highest level of civil protection alert for Saturday, August 8, 2026. The municipality's Civil Protection service has officially declared a Red Code mobilisation after fire danger forecasts reached Level 4 — classified as Very High. All civil protection resources and personnel across the municipality are now on full standby.

What is banned today?

A preventive ban is in force on access, movement and presence of people and vehicles in sensitive areas of the municipality. Beyond that, a comprehensive list of activities that could spark a fire is strictly prohibited:

Burning of crop residues, grassland, pastures or any agricultural waste
Use of open fire outdoors — for any purpose, including religious ceremonies, cultural events, entertainment or film productions
Smoking near beehives
Hot works that produce sparks — including welding and angle grinding
Outdoor grills and barbecues of any kind, using any fuel
Flying sky lanterns or hot-air balloons
Fireworks and pyrotechnic devices

Failure to comply carries serious administrative fines and potential criminal prosecution.

If you see fire or smoke

Act immediately. Call the Fire Service on 199 or the pan-European emergency number 112. Give as precise a location as possible so crews can respond without delay.

Who does this affect?

Everyone in the municipality — residents, farmers, tourists and anyone passing through Apokoronas today. Landowners and those with agricultural or wooded plots carry particular responsibility for ensuring no ignition source originates on their land.

The same Red Code alert has been declared across other parts of Crete as well as the islands of Chios, Samos and Ikaria, placing Apokoronas within a nationwide fire emergency picture.

Official source

CIVIL PROTECTION PRESS RELEASE — MUNICIPALITY OF APOKORONAS

August 8, 2026, 8:10 AM

The Civil Protection of the Municipality of Apokoronas announces that on Saturday 08/08/2026 the Municipality of Apokoronas is placed in a state of mobilisation (Red Code) due to the Forecast of Fire Danger (VERY HIGH – 4).

The mobilisation and readiness of means and personnel is deemed essential. The measure of preventive prohibition of passage, presence and movement of persons and vehicles in sensitive areas is hereby enacted.

WE REMIND that the following are strictly prohibited:

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

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

Smoking in beehives.

The execution of hot works that produce sparks (welding, metal cutting disc, etc.).

The use of outdoor grills, barbecues, any fuel.

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

The use of pyrotechnic items. Non-compliance entails strict administrative and criminal sanctions.

AS SOON AS WE DETECT A FIRE, we immediately call the Fire Service at 199 or 112 and provide accurate information about the fire.

From the Civil Protection of the Municipality of Apokoronas.