Summary

Apokoronas municipality convened a full civil protection coordination meeting on May 12, 2026, bringing together the fire service, police, volunteer teams and municipal staff to prepare for what authorities describe as an exceptionally high-risk wildfire season. Unusually heavy winter rainfall has produced a dense layer of vegetation across the area that is now tinder-dry and highly susceptible to rapid fire spread. All residents and landowners are urged to clear their plots immediately and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities without delay.

Apokoronas on high alert as wildfire season approaches

With the summer fire season approaching, Apokoronas municipality held a full coordination meeting of its local civil protection body on May 12, 2026. Representatives from the fire service, Greek Police, civil protection services and volunteer groups gathered to assess the threat and align their response plans.

Why this season is unusually dangerous

The central message from the meeting was stark: the exceptionally heavy rainfall of the past winter has produced far more vegetation than usual across the municipality — and that vegetation is now completely dry. Officials warned that this combination creates conditions in which fires can ignite easily and spread with alarming speed.

What residents and landowners need to do now

The municipality is asking everyone who lives in or owns land in Apokoronas to take action immediately:

Clear your land: Private plots, agricultural land and abandoned areas must be cleared of dry vegetation without delay.

Avoid fire risks: Any activity that could start a fire — open burning, sparks from machinery, discarding cigarettes — must be avoided entirely.

Follow civil protection guidance: All instructions issued by civil protection authorities must be strictly observed.

Report danger immediately: Anyone who spots smoke, flames or suspicious activity should alert the relevant authorities at once.

The broader picture

The coordination meeting is part of the annual run-up to Greece's wildfire season, which typically runs from May through October and brings sustained heat, wind and drought across Crete. Mayor Charalampos Koukianakis, speaking at the meeting, described fire protection as a collective responsibility shared by the whole community — not just the emergency services. The municipality says it is at full operational readiness and will maintain close cooperation with all agencies and volunteer groups throughout the season.

PRESS RELEASE – Meeting of the Local Operational Coordination Body for Civil Protection of the Municipality of Apokoronas – "Apokoronas will not be left unprotected"

May 12, 2026, 12:40 PM

With the full participation of all involved bodies, today's meeting of the Local Operational Coordination Body for Civil Protection of the Municipality of Apokoronas took place, in view of one of the most critical and demanding fire-protection seasons of recent years.

Representatives of the Fire Service, the Greek Police, volunteer groups, civil protection services and municipal staff participated in the meeting, confirming in practice that in Apokoronas there is a plan, coordination, seriousness and a common front of responsibility.

During the meeting, particular emphasis was placed on the heightened danger of this year's season, as the heavy rainfall of the winter created a huge volume of dry and dense vegetation, dramatically increasing the risk of fire breaking out and spreading rapidly.

The Mayor of Apokoronas, Charalampos Koukianakis, stated in his address: "This year's fire-protection season allows for neither complacency nor indifference. Apokoronas is a blessed place, with unique natural wealth, history and people who know how to fight when circumstances demand it. We did not inherit this place to hand it over burned and wounded. The protection of human life, property and the natural environment is not the responsibility of the services alone. It is a collective battle. And in this battle, no one is surplus. The Municipality of Apokoronas is at full operational readiness, with a plan, determination and continuous cooperation with all competent bodies and our volunteers, who are a force of dedication and self-sacrifice. I call on every citizen to rise to the responsibility of the moment. With care, discipline and respect for our place."

The Municipality of Apokoronas calls on all citizens to avoid any action that could cause a fire, to proceed immediately with the clearance of plots, agricultural and abandoned land, to strictly observe the instructions of Civil Protection, and to immediately inform the competent authorities in every case of danger or suspicious incident.

The protection of the exceptional natural environment of Apokoronas is a matter of responsibility, dignity and collective conscience.

The Municipality of Apokoronas will continue to stand on the front line, with vigilance, seriousness and absolute dedication to the safety of the place and its people.