More than 280 people have been arrested in Greece since the beginning of the year in connection with wildfires
Since the beginning of 2026, Greek law enforcement officials have detained 281 people in connection with wildfires. Some of the fires are believed to have been caused by arson or careless handling of fire.
The country’s authorities have stepped up enforcement of fire safety regulations amid the large-scale fires that have swept through various regions of Greece this summer.
According to fire department spokesperson Yannis Atropios, 252 of the arrests were related to fires caused by negligence, while another 29 involved cases being investigated as arson.
This year’s number of arrests is lower than in the previous two years. Between January and August 2024, 360 people were arrested in Greece, compared to 315 during the same period in 2025.
It is noted that in recent years, Greek authorities have tightened penalties for causing fires. Depending on the circumstances, those found guilty may face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to 200,000 euros.
This was reported on Wednesday, August 12, by the country’s fire department, according to Euractiv.
Greece reported an improvement in the wildfire situation in Attica — Ekathimerini.
Earlier, two firefighting helicopters collided in mid-air in Greece.
For the third day in a row, firefighters in Greece have been battling a massive wildfire west of Athens. The fire has destroyed dozens of homes, and about 500 firefighters have been deployed to combat the blaze.
Greek authorities have temporarily suspended outdoor manual labor and certain delivery services in regions where extreme heat is expected. Violators of the new restrictions face fines.
