In the shadow of the 2018 Mati wildfire tragedy, residents of Nea Makri, Greece, are raising alarms over an illegal motocross track operating on fire-damaged, reforestation-designated land.

The track, located near the Provalinthos settlement and the Ampeloupoli neighborhood, sits within a forested area severely affected by the deadly blaze that claimed dozens of lives and left long-lasting environmental and social scars. The land, classified as protected for reforestation, is still in a fragile state of natural recovery.

Locals report that daily motocross activity is hindering the regeneration of the forest, undermining replanting efforts, and damaging the ecosystem. “We are making enormous efforts to restore our gardens and help the forest recover, yet we are forced to stay indoors due to constant noise,” residents told airetos.gr.

Additional concerns include soil dumping to shape the track, installation of unauthorized traffic signs, and continuous noise pollution. Despite repeated complaints to local authorities, the situation persists, residents say.

Authorities and the community previously pledged sustainable restoration plans following the wildfire. However, the current use of the land for illegal motocross tracks represents a sharp departure from those commitments.

Residents are now demanding immediate intervention, calling for:

• The cessation of the illegal motocross track,
• Full restoration of the reforestation-designated area, and
• Protection of public safety, quality of life, and respect for the memory of the 2018 tragedy.