The Civil Protection Directorate of the Region of Crete informs the public that, according to the daily Fire Risk Forecast Map issued by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, for Tuesday, 14 July 2026, the Fire Risk Category for the Regional Units of Heraklion and Lasithi is Category 4 (Very High).

All Services and Technical Resources that form part of the Civil Protection mechanism in the above areas have been placed on alert, activating and deploying the necessary personnel, materials and equipment in order to respond to emergency situations in view of the impending risk.

According to the provisions of Fire Service Regulation No. 9/24, the following are prohibited:

• Burning of crop residues, grasslands, grazing land, etc.
• The use of fire outdoors for any event (religious, cultural, recreational, film productions, etc.)
• Smoking near beehives
• Carrying out hot works (welding, cutting wheels, etc.)
• The use of outdoor barbecues using any type of fuel
• The use of airborne flying lanterns or balloons (Sky Lanterns)
• The use of fireworks and pyrotechnic items
• The passage, presence and movement of persons and vehicles in the following areas:

For the Regional Unit of Heraklion:

• Symi Forest, Municipality of Viannos
• Rouvas – Zaros Forest, Municipality of Gortyna and Municipality of Phaistos
• Koudoumas Forest, Municipality of Gortyna
• Keri Forest, Municipality of Malevizi
• Fourni Forest, Municipality of Archanes – Asterousia
• Giouchtas Forest, Municipality of Archanes – Asterousia
• Epanosifi Forest, Municipality of Archanes – Asterousia

For the Regional Unit of Lasithi:

• Azilakodasos, Municipality of Agios Nikolaos
• Vathi Forest, Municipality of Agios Nikolaos
• Thrypti Forest, Municipality of Ierapetra
• Kalou Choriou Forest, Municipality of Agios Nikolaos and Meseleroi, Municipality of Ierapetra
• Selakano Forest, Municipality of Ierapetra
• Kritsa Cypress Forest, Municipality of Agios Nikolaos
• Krousta Forest, Municipality of Agios Nikolaos
• Vai Palm Forest, Municipality of Sitia (daily from 22:00 to 06:00)

The boundaries of the above areas where the prohibition measures apply are shown on the relevant maps prepared in cooperation with the Forest Directorates of Crete and published online.

Persons who reside or work within the areas where the above measure applies are exempt from the prohibition.

Without prejudice to provisions imposing stricter penalties on offenders, administrative fines will be imposed and violations will be reported to the relevant licensing authority for any further actions it may deem necessary (for example, the Directorate of Agricultural Economy and Veterinary Services).

Emergency Telephone Numbers

• 199 – Fire Service
• 112 – European Emergency Number
• 1591 – Forest Policy Enforcement Inspection Service
• 100 – Hellenic Police
• 108 – Hellenic Coast Guard
• 166 – National Centre for Emergency Care (EKAB)