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Greece launches property clearing checks June 23 amid heightened wildfire risk
🇬🇷 Greece /Disasters & Emergencies

Greece launches property clearing checks June 23 amid heightened wildfire risk

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Greece is entering a critical fire season with predictions of high temperatures and drought, increasing the risk of wildfires.
  • Authorities are intensifying efforts to clear flammable vegetation from properties and are implementing stricter checks and penalties for non-compliance.
  • Since May 1, Greece has recorded 803 fires, a decrease from the average but still considered high, prompting a focus on preventing new ignitions.

Greece is bracing for a challenging fire season, with the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Evangelos Tournas, emphasizing that "the climate crisis gives us no extension." A working meeting with Civil Protection Deputy Mayors from all Attica municipalities focused on coordinating efforts to clear private properties, conduct compliance checks, and enforce regulations ahead of the peak fire period.

The climate crisis gives us no extension.

— Evangelos TournasMinister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, emphasizing the urgency of the fire season.

Scientific assessments predict high temperatures and drought in the coming months. The abundant vegetation growth following recent rainfall has significantly increased the amount of available fuel for fires. Tournas warned that the combination of drought, high temperatures, winds, and increased fuel creates conditions ripe for both the start and rapid spread of wildfires. The ministry's dual goals for this season are to reduce the number of fires and the amount of flammable material.

This year's fire season has already seen 803 fires across the country since May 1. While this number is 14% lower than the average over the last two decades, it remains high. Tournas highlighted that multiple fires occurring on the same day can strain resources, making the reduction of new ignitions even more critical. The ministry is actively pursuing individuals responsible for starting fires, whether through negligence or intent, with the Directorate for Arson Crimes Investigation now operating 37 local units nationwide.

We are entering a truly difficult fire season.

— Evangelos TournasDescribing the conditions that increase wildfire risk.

To combat non-compliance, 435 administrative fines totaling approximately 443,000 euros have been issued for violations of fire safety laws. Additionally, 95 arrests have been made under immediate apprehension procedures. A network of 108 drones, with 33 deployed in Attica, is assisting in identifying the causes and perpetrators of fires.

We are pursuing the arsonist, whether through negligence or intent.

— Evangelos TournasStating the ministry's focus on apprehending those responsible for starting fires.

Significant emphasis is being placed on property clearing. Around 530,000 declarations of property clearing have been submitted through a special platform. Municipalities are urged to complete their assigned tasks promptly and facilitate residents in managing cleared vegetation. Tournas requested that municipalities designate collection points for pruned branches and plant waste, providing clear guidance for citizens. He stressed that proactive clearing efforts now will reduce the workload later. The deadline for clearing and declaring properties is final.

The more we work now, the less work we will have later.

— Evangelos TournasEncouraging proactive property clearing efforts.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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