Brit tourists heading to Greek islands warned they must do one thing

The Foreign Office has issued guidance to Brits heading to the Greek islands in the coming weeks and months, telling them they should do one thing before they travel

The Foreign Office has issued a stark warning to Brits planning a trip to Greece, highlighting the dangers of wildfires in the region. Travellers are being urged to sign up for safety alerts if they're heading to the Mediterranean hotspot during the high-risk months from April to October.

According to the latest guidance on the gov.uk website, holidaymakers should be aware of the heightened risk of wildfires throughout the summer season. The advice is clear: "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," as stated on the site.

The Liverpool Echo has reported that the Foreign Office is stressing the ease with which these fires can ignite and is advising visitors to steer clear of activities that could start a blaze. Officials have also highlighted the importance of staying informed by signing up for the latest updates.

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Greece has been battling an unprecedented number of wildfires this year, with the country experiencing its hottest summer on record. Over 4,500 wildfires have scorched the dry landscape, marking the most perilous fire season in 20 years.

Aljazeera covered the tragic news that on Monday, two individuals lost their lives in a significant wildfire above a coastal resort in southern Greece while attempting to assist firefighters in a challenging mountain area, reports the Mirror.

To stay abreast of potential hazards, holidaymakers are advised to register with the Greek government's Emergency Communication Service. iPhone users can do this by going to Settings > Notifications and enabling the 'Emergency Alerts' option at the bottom.

For Android 11 and higher, go to Settings > Notifications > Advanced Settings > Wireless Emergency Alerts. On Samsung devices, navigate to Settings > Apps > Messages > Notifications > Emergency Notifications and enable the 'Emergency Alerts' option.

Further information is available on Greece's Civil Protection website (in Greek). The National Observatory of Athens has reported that over the past eight years, 174 square miles of forest have been burned in the Attica region, which includes Athens.

This accounts for 37 percent of the region's total forested area.

The Foreign Office warns that causing a wildfire or a forest fire is a criminal offence in Greece even if unintentional. If you spot a fire, dial 112 to reach the emergency services.

Visitors are urged not to leave any litter behind, especially glass, which is known to start fires. Ensure your cigarettes are properly extinguished and refrain from lighting barbecues.

For official updates, follow @112Greece.