Three people have been arrested in Greece for allegedly causing wildfires through negligence on Wednesday, June 10, according to the Fire Service.
The arrests were carried out by investigative units of the Hellenic Fire Service in Evia, Rhodope and Boeotia following separate incidents involving outdoor work that led to the outbreak of fires.
Fires linked to outdoor work
In the area of Agia Skepi near Paralia Avlidas, part of the municipality of Chalkida in Evia, a 59-year-old man caused a fire while clearing dry grass with a gasoline-powered brush cutter.
The fire started at around 13:04 and burned approximately 70 square meters of dry vegetation. The man was arrested under the fast-track procedure and received an administrative fine of €2,320.30.
In Aetokoryfi, in the municipality of Sapes in Rhodope, a 50-year-old man caused a fire while carrying out agricultural work with machinery. According to authorities, sparks generated during the operation of the equipment started the blaze, which burned six hectares of agricultural land. He was also arrested under the same procedure.
A third case was recorded on the regional road connecting Livadeia and Arachova in Boeotia, where a 39-year-old man allegedly started a fire while carrying out hot work with a cutting tool without taking the required fire safety measures.
He was arrested and fined €2,668.35.
More than 80 arrests for fire safety violations in 2026
The Fire Service said that from the beginning of 2026 until June 10, authorities have issued 411 administrative fines totaling €405,895.07, while 81 people have been arrested through the fast-track process for violations of fire protection regulations.
Authorities stressed that the vast majority of fires are caused by human negligence and urged people to exercise extreme caution during the wildfire prevention season.
The Fire Service warned that even a single spark from outdoor activities can trigger a fire with serious consequences for the environment, property and human life. Inspections will continue, and penalties will be imposed whenever violations are identified.
