Press releases issued by the Municipalities of Chania and Platanias have announced the rules relating to the obligatory clearance of vegetation from building plots and other parcels of land in urban areas, ahead of the no-fires period which will extend from 1st May to 31st October (unless otherwise modified in the light of prevailing weather conditions). The following is from the press release issued by the Municipality of Chania.
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New fire and lightning protection for visitors at Knossos
The archaeological site of Knossos is to be provided with a fire protection network and a lightning prevention system, as part of an overall upgrade programme by the ministry of Culture which will include the protection and promotion of the Minoan palace and the improvement of visitor access routes. According to a ministry press release, the works, with a total budget of €3.5 million, are being funded through the ESPA Regional Operational Programme “Crete 2021-2027”.
Continue readingMore drones for fire protection
With the increasing incidence of forest fires caused by the combination of heat waves and high winds, there is an increasing need for effective means of monitoring outbreaks and coordinating the response of emergency services. A critical factor in the spread of such fires is often the degradation of power lines which can causing arcing, further igniting the surrounding vegetation.
Continue readingObligatory clearing of land before the no-fires season
With the ever-increasing danger of damage to property and lives from forest fires during the summer period the government has taken a number of measures to ensure that citizens do their part in implementing fire-protection measures on their land. A measure introduced last year is the establishment in law of the obligation to clear property of flammable materials in anticipation of the no-fires period which runs from 1st May to 31st October each year, and to make a declaration confirming that action has been taken to the authorities.
Continue readingTemporary ban on fires
In view of the unseasonably hot weather and the presence of high winds, the Civil Protection Service of Crete has announced a ban on open fires throughout the island which will last until 18th March. There have already been a number of fires, including one in Apokoronas on Thursday which burned 50 stremmata of forest and olives, and required the intervention of a firefighting helicopter to put it out.
Continue readingPrecautionary closure of Natura areas
The Civil Protection Department of the Regional Unit of Chania has announced the closure of 18 Natura areas, forest habitats and parks for days on which the fire warning map of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection predicts a danger level of 4 (very high) and 5 (alert status). Access, circulation and staying in such areas will be forbidden for people and vehicles throughout the 24-hour period. Similar measures have been announced for the Regional Units of Rethymnon, Heraklion and Lasithi.
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