Brits are being urged to do one thing before they fly to Greek island(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Brit tourists heading to Greek islands warned they must do one action before they fly

Advice from government officials on the gov.uk website instructs holidaymakers heading for the popular tourist spot to sign up if they plan to visit when risk of fires is at its highest

by · The Mirror

The Foreign Office has warned travellers heading to Greece about the risk posed by wildfires - saying visitors should sign up for safety alerts.

Advice from government officials on the gov.uk website instructs holidaymakers heading for the popular tourist spot to sign up if they plan to visit between certain months when risk of fires is at its highest. People visiting within this period are at the highest danger of having their holidays being affected by the blazes.

"There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October. Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The situation can change quickly," the website stated. Brits travelling to the region have been cautioned by the Foreign Office on how easily wildfires can start, the Liverpool Echo reports. Visitors have also been urged to avoid certain activities by the government and officials noted there is a way to keep up to date with the latest alerts.

This summer Greece experienced its hottest summer ever, with more than 4,500 wildfires blazing through the parched countryside, leading to what has been called the most dangerous fire season in two decades. On Monday two people died in a large wildfire burning through forestland above a seaside resort in southern Greece. The pair were trying to help firefighters tackle a forest fire in a rugged mountainous area Aljazeera reported.

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On Monday two people died in a large wildfire in what has been called the most dangerous fire season in two decades( Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The best way to stay up to date with potential hazards is by registering with the Greek government’s Emergency Communication Service. You can do so by following the instructions below. iPhones: Go to Settings > Notifications and enable the ‘Emergency Alerts’ option at the bottom Android 11 and higher: Go to Settings > Notifications > Advanced Settings > Wireless Emergency Alerts Samsung devices: Go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Notifications > Emergency Notifications and enable the ‘Emergency Alerts’ option

Greece’s Civil Protection website (in Greek) provides further information. Over the past eight years 174 square miles of forest have been burned in the Attica region that includes Athens, amounting to 37 percent of the region’s total forested area, the National Observatory of Athens said.

Causing a wildfire or a forest fire is a criminal offence in Greece – even if unintentional, the Foreign Office warns. If you see a fire, call the emergency services on 112. When you are there, ensure as you don't leave any litter behind, especially glass which is known to start fires. Ensure your cigarettes are properly extinguished and do not light barbecues. You can follow @112Greece for official updates.