Currently, there are dozens of wildfires across the country. Western Attica, just west of Athens, is among the worst-hit areas. The area has seen hundreds of homes and businesses destroyed as a result of the fires. Laconia in the Southern Peloponnese has also been hit. The popular tourist island of Rhodes has seen some 19,000 locals and tourists moved from homes and resorts, in the country’s biggest evacuation ever, as blazes have been spreading uncontrollably. Flames have reached the seaside villages of Kiotari, Gennadi, Pefki, Lindos, Lardos and Kalathos. Evia, the country’s second biggest island, is also suffering from fires. Residents in areas in northern Corfu like Santa, Megoula, Porta, Palea Peritheia and Sinies, have also been forced to evacuate due to wildfires.

Wildfires have been fanned by high-speed winds paired with soaring temperatures. Since a heatwave began in July, Greece has experienced the hottest weekend of the month in 50 years. Temperatures have reached 45c. Scores of blazes have broken out across the country since the start of the heatwave. As the heat continues to rise, authorities have warned that there is a very high risk of new blazes.

If you are travelling in Greece or heading over there in the next couple of weeks, Smartraveller’s safety advice for travelling to Greece remains at Level 1: Exercise normal safety precautions in Greece. The Government-run travel advice site suggests tourists monitor local media for updates on wildfires as they can start quickly and with little warning. With heatwaves becoming more frequent, Smartraveller recommends tourists drink plenty of water, wear light clothing and stay in air-conditioned buildings or shaded areas. Athens is taking precautions to avoid tourists overheating at popular tourist sites – like the ancient Acropolis – by shutting them down during the hottest parts of the day.