The Acropolis in Athens has temporarily shut its doors today as Greece grapples with a heatwave, characterized by extreme temperatures. The significant archaeological site will remain closed from 13:00-17:00 local time (11:00-15:00 BST), according to the nation's culture ministry. Expected temperatures could reach as high as 42C (107F) in some areas, prompting the issuance of a category four wildfire warning across various regions.
This comes in conjunction with wildfires occurring in other parts of Europe, particularly in France and Spain's Catalonia, which also faced a destructive early summer heatwave. The decision to alter the Acropolis' operating hours was made following the forecast of extreme heat, resurging after a brief respite. Previously, the popular site closed under similar circumstances in both June and July.
To ensure the safety of both employees and visitors, the closure is meant to mitigate risks during the peak heat, as the landmark attracts millions of tourists annually, with 4.5 million projected visits in 2024. In an effort to protect outdoor workers, Greece's labor ministry has mandated a five-hour work stoppage for manual jobs from 12:00-17:00 today in the most affected areas.
This current heatwave is expected to persist until Wednesday, with temperatures remaining in the range of 40-42C in southern Greece before a cooling trend is anticipated by Thursday. The Greek fire service reported on Monday that 41 wildfires erupted nationwide, with 34 successfully contained early on while seven remained active into the evening. A category four wildfire warning is in effect for critical regions including Attica, the Peloponnese, central Greece, Thessaly, and western Greece, with the public advised to exercise caution as emergency services remain on high alert.
Across the border in southwestern France, over 1,000 firefighters are combatting a wildfire in the Narbonne area, prompting nearby evacuations and the closure of a highway linking France to Spain. In Catalonia, approximately 2,000 residents face lockdowns in response to an ongoing wildfire that ignited on Sunday, according to reports. This latest wave of extreme heat and wildfires is indicative of an increasing trend linked to climate change, as outlined by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, suggesting such severe weather may become more frequent and intense.
This comes in conjunction with wildfires occurring in other parts of Europe, particularly in France and Spain's Catalonia, which also faced a destructive early summer heatwave. The decision to alter the Acropolis' operating hours was made following the forecast of extreme heat, resurging after a brief respite. Previously, the popular site closed under similar circumstances in both June and July.
To ensure the safety of both employees and visitors, the closure is meant to mitigate risks during the peak heat, as the landmark attracts millions of tourists annually, with 4.5 million projected visits in 2024. In an effort to protect outdoor workers, Greece's labor ministry has mandated a five-hour work stoppage for manual jobs from 12:00-17:00 today in the most affected areas.
This current heatwave is expected to persist until Wednesday, with temperatures remaining in the range of 40-42C in southern Greece before a cooling trend is anticipated by Thursday. The Greek fire service reported on Monday that 41 wildfires erupted nationwide, with 34 successfully contained early on while seven remained active into the evening. A category four wildfire warning is in effect for critical regions including Attica, the Peloponnese, central Greece, Thessaly, and western Greece, with the public advised to exercise caution as emergency services remain on high alert.
Across the border in southwestern France, over 1,000 firefighters are combatting a wildfire in the Narbonne area, prompting nearby evacuations and the closure of a highway linking France to Spain. In Catalonia, approximately 2,000 residents face lockdowns in response to an ongoing wildfire that ignited on Sunday, according to reports. This latest wave of extreme heat and wildfires is indicative of an increasing trend linked to climate change, as outlined by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, suggesting such severe weather may become more frequent and intense.
