Red Code fire alert for Apokoronas on Saturday — all open flames banned

Summary

The Civil Protection authority of the Apokoronas municipality has declared a Red Code alert for Saturday, September 5, 2026, following a forecast of Very High fire danger (Level 4) from the General Secretariat for Civil Protection. All residents and visitors must avoid any activity that could spark a fire, including outdoor grilling, welding, sky lanterns, and fireworks, and access to sensitive areas is prohibited. Anyone who fails to comply faces strict administrative and criminal penalties.

Red Code: Apokoronas on highest fire alert this Saturday

The Civil Protection service of Apokoronas municipality has placed the entire area on Red Code — the highest level of emergency mobilisation — for Saturday, September 5, 2026. The trigger is a forecast from Greece's General Secretariat for Civil Protection rating fire danger as Very High, Level 4. All available personnel and resources are being placed on standby, and a preventive ban on movement in sensitive areas is now in effect.

What this means for you

If you live in or are visiting Apokoronas this Saturday, the message is simple: do not do anything that could start a fire. The conditions are extreme, and even a small spark could have catastrophic consequences for the landscape and the communities that depend on it.

The following activities are strictly forbidden throughout September 5:

Burning crop residues, grassland, or pasture
Open fire at any event — religious, cultural, entertainment, or film production
Smoking beehives with fire
Hot works that produce sparks — welding, angle grinders, metal cutting
Outdoor grilling, barbecues, or use of any fuel in the open air
Sky lanterns or any airborne balloons
Fireworks or pyrotechnics of any kind

In addition, people and vehicles are prohibited from entering, remaining in, or moving through designated sensitive zones within the municipality.

Penalties for non-compliance

The municipality is clear: breaking these rules has consequences. Violations carry both administrative sanctions and criminal charges. This is not a suggestion — it is a legal obligation in force for the whole of Saturday.

If you see a fire

Do not wait. Call the Fire Service immediately on 199 or the European emergency number 112, and give the most precise location you can. Every second matters when fire spreads in dry conditions.

For further safety guidance, visit: www.civilprotection.gr

Official source

CIVIL PROTECTION PRESS RELEASE FOR SATURDAY 05-09-2026, MUNICIPALITY OF APOKORONAS

ATTENTION! Extreme fire danger We are all on full alert and standby! We avoid any action that could cause a fire! Protection guidelines at: www.civilprotection.gr

The Civil Protection of the Municipality of Apokoronas announces that on Saturday 05-09-2026, in accordance with the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, the Municipality of Apokoronas is placed in a state of mobilisation (Red Code) due to the Fire Danger Forecast (VERY HIGH – 4).

The mobilisation and readiness of equipment and personnel is deemed necessary. The measure of preventive prohibition of crossing, remaining, and movement of persons and vehicles in sensitive areas enters into force.

WE REMIND YOU: It is strictly forbidden:

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

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

The smoking of beehives.

The carrying out of hot works that produce sparks (welding, metal cutting discs, 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 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.