Where is there currently a fire? Are holiday destinations affected?

Hardly any rain and extremely high temperatures make people come in Greece to do again this year. Due to the heat, several people have already died during hiking tripsIn addition, forest fires are constantly breaking out in the popular holiday resort.

In recent weeks, several fires have raged in the Peloponnese, the Ionian island of Kefalonia and in several regions of central Greece, some of which have become forest fires due to strong winds. Then, in early July, more than 80 firefighters fought a forest fire near Athens that threatened a nearby nature reserve. There were also fires on the islands of Chios, Kos and Crete.

Greece: Where is there currently a fire?

And the danger is far from over. It was only on Wednesday, July 17, that a forest fire broke out near Sofiko in the Corinthian region of the Peloponnese, reports the Athens newspaper “Ekathimerini“. At the time, a total of 64 firefighters and 20 fire engines were deployed to extinguish the fire. According to the newspaper, they were supported by three fire-fighting aircraft and four helicopters. Again Crisis Alert Service A3M reports that forest fires are still occurring in the Attica region and Crete.

As civil protection on July 17 on the platform “X” announced that there were 24 fires within 24 hours. According to Fire risk forecast mapissued by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, there is a very high risk of fire on Thursday, July 18, in the following areas:

• Attica region
• Peloponnese region
• Region Central Greece (PE Boeotia, PE Euboea, PE Fthiotida)
• Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (Evros PE, Rodopi PE, Xanthi PE)
• North Aegean Region (Lesvos Region, Chios Region)
• Region of Western Greece (Ilia, Achaea)
• Crete region

Map shows forest fires in Greece

On this Card shows where recent forest fires raged in Greece (as of July 18, 2024). The map was created using NASA data.

Can my holiday take place in Greece?

Travelers should certainly check before departure whether there is a fire near their holiday destination. If so, they should contact the organizer.

There may be times when tourist sites in Greece are evacuated as a precaution because a nearby fire cannot be brought under control. In this case, people in the affected areas should receive a warning SMS from the Ministry of Civil Protection on their mobile phones with a shrill signal tone.

Forest fire: Can I cancel my planned holiday?

Wildfires are considered exceptional circumstances. However, there are legal differences between package holidays and individual holidays. Under certain circumstances, travellers can cancel a package holiday free of charge. “The tour operator must then refund the price,” travel lawyer Paul Degott tells the travel reporter.

However, package travellers can only rely on exceptional circumstances if the forest fires are in the immediate vicinity of the holiday destination and there are specific disruptions such as ash fall or evacuation.

Anyone who is already in Greece and is suddenly affected by the fires can cancel their trip early with the tour operator. Travellers and organisers must then divide the additional costs for the early return journey between themselves, says Degott. There are also claims for a reduction.

Forest fire: When can the holiday not be cancelled?

Travelers who are not going on vacation for a few weeks will have to wait and see how the fires develop at their vacation destination. Because pure fear of forest fires does not justify a free dismissal, says Degott. Likewise, the right to free cancellation cannot be exercised if the fires are far from the vacation destination.

Individual travellers must adhere to the contract conditions of their flight and booked accommodation. The cancellation possibilities must be written down there. The following often applies: If a flight takes place and accommodation is available, it cannot be cancelled free of charge.

What do travelers need to know right now? All important You can find news for your holiday on reisereporter.