Wildfires have broken out on the Greek islands of Kos, Chios, and Crete after the region experienced its earliest-ever heat wave. Tourists have described ‘apocalyptic’ scenes since the fires broke out on the islands on 1 July.

An estimated 3.309 acres of land have been burnt after drought and dry weather have been combined with unusually strong winds to create the inferno.

In Kos, a wildfire broke out on Monday afternoon local time before spreading to the tourist resort of Kardamaina.  A total of 10,000 people were evacuated and had to take shelter in schools, hotels, and sports stadiums, according to Ekathimerini.com.

The fires are concerning given that we are just at the start of the European summer. The Greek prime minister has warned tourists that blazes this summer could “be particularly dangerous”.

Despite the fires, SmartTraveller is still marking Greece as green, asking Australians to exercise “normal safety precautions”.

Its latest update read: “Extreme temperatures affect many areas of Greece during summer, and wildfires occur. Drink plenty of water, stay in air conditioning or shaded areas and follow the advice of local authorities. Avoid hiking in heatwave conditions.

“If you head out on a hike, tell someone where you’re going and take plenty of water. Petty crime and theft are serious issues in tourist areas, public transport, and accommodation, including short-term rentals. Pay close attention to your belongings, particularly your passport, bank cards and phone.”