The first extreme heat wave is just around the corner, for this summer, with temperatures set to climb as high as 44 degrees tomorrow and the National Weather Service issuing an orange alert.

“Meteorologist: So, tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday will be two very difficult days when temperatures will rise. We’ll see an orange alert from the Meteorological Department.”
^{Andreas Chrysanthou – Meteorologist}

With the orange alert in effect, outdoor work should be suspended.

The warnings apply to the interior, but discomfort will be heightened in all regions. 

“On Wednesday and Thursday, with these temperatures and humidity levels, we may be approaching the threshold for a severe heat wave, which is why these warnings are being issued.”
^{Andreas Chrysanthou – Meteorologist}

These extreme temperatures have put all relevant agencies on red alert for potential wildfires.

“There is a significantly increased risk these days in our semi-mountainous and mountainous regions. These are areas where humidity is quite low, fuel loads are particularly high, and wind conditions intensify in the afternoon.”
^{Andreas Chrysanthou – Meteorologist}

“The coming days are extremely critical for the outbreak and spread of wildfires.”
^{Markos Tragolas – Former Director of the Fire Department}

For our country, wildfires are one of our worst nightmares, especially when one considers that it was around this time last year that the deadly fire broke out in the mountainous region of Limassol, and five years agowere lost in the fire at Arakapa.

“Citizens themselves must finally realize that, given the current situation and prevailing weather conditions, it doesn’t take much for a fire to start and spread.”
^{Markos Tragolas – Former Director of the Fire Department}

The high-risk conditions are expected to begin easing starting Friday, with warnings dropping from orange to yellow, while a noticeable drop in temperature will occur over the weekend, with temperatures reaching seasonal levels below 40 degrees Celsius.

Watch Eleni Michael’s report: