Chios: Turkish national fined €1,500 after throwing lit cigarette in forest area

A Turkish national was fined €1,500 after firefighters found that he had thrown a lit cigarette from his car window while driving through a forest area on Chios.

The incident took place at about 10:30 p.m. on Saturday in the Agios Markos area, near Nea Moni in central Chios. A passing citizen noticed the act and alerted the authorities. A Fire Service team responded immediately and confirmed the violation.

The fine was imposed under the applicable fire-prevention regulations. Throwing a lit cigarette in a forest area poses a serious threat to the natural environment and public safety, particularly when fire conditions are dangerous.

The violation occurred on a day when the Chios regional unit had been placed in Fire Risk Category 4, indicating a very high danger of fire. The wider area is also where a major blaze erupted in August 2012 and burned through Chios's mastic-producing villages.

The Fire Service urged residents and visitors to exercise particular care and follow all required fire-prevention measures. It said daily, intensive inspections would continue at full pace to prevent fires and protect the island.