ATHENS, May 31 (Xinhua) -- During the 2026 fire season, Greek authorities have stepped up efforts to combat arson caused by negligence by imposing hundreds of fines and carrying out dozens of arrests, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported on Sunday.
According to the Directorate for Combating Arson Crimes, 365 administrative fines totaling more than 320,000 euros (about 365,000 U.S. dollars) were issued between Jan. 1 and May 30, while 60 arrests were made. Of those arrested, 54 cases, or 90 percent, involved negligent arson, while six were linked to intentional arson.
Fire service officials said negligence would no longer be treated as a minor mistake, stressing that any action causing or potentially causing a wildfire would be investigated and sanctioned under the law as part of a stricter prevention strategy.
Authorities reported a significant decline in fire outbreaks this year. Between Jan. 1 and May 25, 2,777 fires were recorded nationwide, down 31.1 percent from 4,032 incidents during the same period in 2025.
Officials attributed the decrease to intensified inspections, stricter enforcement measures, and more systematic investigations into the causes of fires.
To further strengthen prevention and enforcement efforts, Greece has established 37 specialized arson investigation units across the country this year. The units are expected to enhance local investigative capacity and improve the speed and effectiveness of responses to fire-related crimes. ■