UK tourists have been warned to watch out for wildfires as Greece is set to be hit by a searing heatwave within weeks.
New weather maps from WXCharts show Greece is forecast to be hit by temperatures as high as 38C on August 22.
Temperatures in several holiday hotspots – including Athens, Kalamata and Crete – are set to see temperatures in the mid-thirties.
A number of wildfires have burned in Greece over the past month, including one fire in the Lindos area of Rhodes on Tuesday.
A separate fire in Aitoloakarnania sparked an emergency evacuation alert on Monday. The fire broke out in a forest near Prodromos.
Greece is often hit by wildfires in summer due to extreme heat and dry weather conditions combined with strong winds in coastal regions.
Greek authorities advise tourists to stay up to date with emergency services guidance and pay attention to any emergency alerts sent to their phones.
The Foreign Office warns British tourists that there is a particularly high risk of wildfires in Greece between April and October.
The FCDO says: “Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The situation can change quickly. To avoid starting wildfires: leave no litter, especially not glass which is known to start fires; make sure cigarettes are properly extinguished; do not light barbecues.”
It is a criminal offence to cause a wildfire in Greece, whether accidentally or not.
