With the highlighting of four key prohibitions and warnings to citizens to prevent wildfires in the countryside, the Ministry of Climate Change and Civil Protection “opens” the 2026 fire season, which began today May Day, with the aim of raising awareness and information, in order to prevent fires in forests, woodland, grassland and agricultural land, parks and groves of cities and residential areas, areas with special protection status, as well as other areas close to them and land areas, which have plagued and “impoverished” our country in recent years.
These remarks are part of the general prevention effort, which is the basis of the ministry’s planning, but at the same time they are also based on recent official data, which show that a very large number of fires are caused by human activities in the countryside, which, among other things, draws arrests and serious fines for offenders, which can reach up to 50,000 euros, while arsonists face felony penalties.
In particular, in the context of this “campaign” to inform citizens in order to have a less disastrous year, the Civil Protection notes that, from the analysis of the statistical data to date, a significant number of fire starts have been identified, due to outdoor activities and works that include lighting, using and maintaining fire, carrying out hot work, using sparking devices, pyrotechnics or fireworks.
As of 1/1/2026, more than 174 administrative fines have been imposed and 35 arrests have been made for violations of fire prevention provisions in forest, agricultural and related lands and ecological areas, several of which have developed into forest fires.
In order to prevent the outbreak of fires in the countryside, it is stressed that:
– It is prohibited to burn plant residues (prunings, crop residues, dry grass, etc.), waste and in general the use of fire in the open air, regardless of the risk index.
– Hot work is prohibited when the risk index is category 3 (high), category 4 (very high) or 5 (state of alert), as well as on other days without observing the prescribed preventive measures, terms and conditions. Hot work is defined as work that produces sparks or involves naked flame/heat, such as welding, welding, cutting, grinding, use of flame or electric arc, and use of equipment that produces heat, flame or sparks.
– It is prohibited to burn pyrotechnic articles outdoors when the risk index, is category 3 (high), 4 (very high) or 5 (state of alert) and on other days without observing the prescribed preventive measures, terms and conditions.
– It is prohibited to smoke bees when the risk index is category 4 (very high) or 5 (alert status) as well as on other days without observing the prescribed preventive measures, terms and conditions.
In a statement, the ministry and the Fire Department inform citizens that more information on the prohibited and/or permitted, under conditions, actions, activities and works with fire protection measures are included in the 9th/2024 Fire Protection Decree (Government Gazette B’ 2387).
The notice stresses that failure to comply with the provisions set out in the above, will incur high administrative fines of up to the amount of 50,000 euros in accordance with the provisions of the 19th/2024 Fire Protection Ordinance (B’ 2550).
In addition, it is recalled that the new Criminal Code expressly prohibits the keeping of fire, the performance of hot work, the use of spark-inducing devices or pyrotechnics or fireworks in forests, woodlands, parks, groves, grassland and agricultural land on days when the risk index is 4 (very high) or 5 (state of alert) and offenders shall be liable to a minimum of one year’s imprisonment and a fine of at least 10.000 euros.
If a serious fire is caused by the above actions then the culprit is prosecuted to the extent of a felony.
Furthermore, arson under the new Criminal Code is punishable by imprisonment or imprisonment without suspension and without possibility of redemption of the sentence and an additional fine of up to 200,000 euros.
The Civil Protection also stresses that preparatory actions are also punishable as a felony, while in cases of arson in forests which caused a fire resulting in death or serious bodily injury or spreading over a large area, the property or part of the property of the perpetrator is confiscated at the discretion of the court.
“Prevention is a decisive factor in the protection of human life, property and the natural environment and all citizens are called upon to demonstrate a heightened sense of responsibility. Compliance with the measures is the obligation of all,” the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection stresses.
In conclusion, it says that in case of fire outbreak or smoke detection, citizens should immediately notify the Fire Service by calling 199 or 112.
