Monasteries on Greece's Mount Athos have intensified wildfire prevention measures as authorities warn of an elevated fire risk during the peak summer season, according to the Greek state news agency ANA-MPA.

Fire services and the autonomous monastic community have been placed on heightened alert due to unusually high temperatures, dense vegetation following a rainy winter, and the peninsula's rugged mountainous terrain.

Officials in Karyes, the administrative center of Mount Athos, said preparations for the wildfire season began in the spring. Military personnel inspected and repaired forest roads damaged by winter storms, while specialists assessed water sources and reservoirs needed to support firefighting operations in the event of a blaze.

The monasteries themselves have taken an active role in fire prevention by clearing vegetation around their grounds, inspecting fire suppression and alarm systems, and, in some cases, purchasing their own water tankers.

Monks are also participating in regular emergency training exercises alongside firefighters. Vatopedi Monastery has established a volunteer firefighting unit consisting of 23 certified volunteers, including monks and monastery staff.

Modern technology is also being introduced to improve early fire detection. Vatopedi Monastery has begun round-the-clock drone patrols and created a dedicated drone operations base. Meanwhile, Serbia's Hilandar Monastery plans to install a video surveillance system equipped with smoke detection sensors within its area of responsibility.

Vasilios Psaltidis, head of the fire service in Karyes, said this year's wildfire threat is particularly high because of the combination of extreme heat and abundant vegetation. He added that frequent lightning strikes, the peninsula's difficult terrain, and the large number of pilgrims visiting Mount Athos further increase the risk.

To reduce the danger of accidental fires, passengers traveling by ferry to Mount Athos are being informed in five languages that lighting fires is strictly prohibited from May 1 through October 31.

Mount Athos is an autonomous monastic republic in northern Greece that is home to 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it attracts thousands of pilgrims each year.

Local authorities said no major wildfires have been recorded on the peninsula so far this season, but emergency services remain on high alert as hot weather continues.