The Department of Forestry issued a red alert on Friday stressing that the risk of a fire breaking out and spreading fast is extremely high.
Lighting fires without permission as well as throwing cigarette butts and lit matches is strictly prohibited and constitutes an offence, the announcement also said.
The use of welding tools or agricultural equipment that produces heat is also strictly prohibited.
The offence is punishable with imprisonment of up to 10 years or a fine of up to 50,000 euro or both, it added.
Lighting a fire for the purpose of food preparation is allowed only in barbecues located in designated picnic areas on mountainous regions.
If smoke or a fire is detected, please call 1407 (Forestry Department) or 112 (Fire Department) immediately.
Source: Philenews
