The Acropolis Is Closed as Fires Burn Nearby
Due to the heat, the government decided to close several historical sites—including the famous Acropolis, home of the Parthenon—between noon and 5 p.m. local time to protect visitors. (The Acropolis is usually open for most of the day, between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) Dozens of Athenians have also been taken to local hospitals due to a combination of smoke from the fires and extreme heat. Despite the heat, the government has ordered residents to stay inside due to the public health hazard the smoke poses. If people do have to go outside, the government is recommending masks.
