ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek authorities warned Friday of a coming week-long heat wave during the summer tourist season, with a high risk of dangerous forest fireslike much of Southern Europe scorching under high temperatures.
The Ministry of Civil Protection and Climate Change said southwesterly winds from Africa would bring temperatures of more than 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) until at least July 19.
The new heat wave follows the warmest June ever recorded in Greece, according to preliminary data from the weather service. It was also the warmest globally, according to the European Climate Service, Copernicus.
People have been advised to wear light clothing, drink plenty of water and avoid long walks during the hottest part of the day. In June, several tourists were found dead on Greek islands after a long walk.
Authorities in neighbouring North Macedonia have also issued a week-long heat warning that will take effect on Friday in the tiny landlocked Balkan country.
People were urged to stay indoors as much as possible and avoid heavy labor during the hottest hours of the day. Emergency measures announced Thursday included ordering employers to keep pregnant women and people over 60 off the job, banning construction work from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and keeping kindergarten classes indoors after 11 a.m.
Health officials are reporting an increase in calls to emergency services for heat-related health conditions.
Authorities in North Macedonia also reported an increase in forest fires, with 14 fires recorded nationwide in the past 24 hours, they said.
Wildfires are also ravaging Greece, and the civil protection ministry warned of a very high risk on Friday and Saturday. Officials have described this summer as the most dangerous for wildfires in 20 years, after an unusually rainless winter and spring that left vegetation and forests bone dry.
Three fires broke out in northern Greece on Friday, but two of them were quickly brought under control.
Greek firefighters, backed this summer by drones and a reinforced fleet of water bombing aircraft, have battled more than 2,000 forest fires since early June, most of which were tamed shortly after they broke outwhich limited damage to buildings and property.
Dozens of people have been arrested and fined for accidentally starting fires, usually while working outdoors near unpruned vegetation.
Every summer, devastating forest fires hit Greece, and last year more than 20 people died in the flames.