Greece arrests 281 over fires so far in 2026

Greek authorities have arrested 281 people so far in 2026 over fire-related offences, fire service spokesman Yannis Atropios said, as the country remains on high alert for new blazes.

Atropios told public broadcaster ERT that 252 of the arrests since January involved fires caused by negligence and 29 involved deliberate arson.

The fire service said the number was lower than in the previous two years. It recorded 360 fire-related arrests between January and August 2024, with 12 people placed in pre-trial detention, and 315 arrests in the same period of 2025, with nine people placed in pre-trial detention.

People found responsible for starting fires in Greece now face sentences of up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to 200,000 euros.

Greece remained on high alert on Wednesday, days after a fire near a seaside resort northwest of Athens destroyed more than 11,000 hectares of pine forest, scrubland and farmland. High winds meant the blaze took five days to bring under control.

ERT said a 59-year-old man was arrested in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, over involvement in more than five fires over a two-week period and was due to appear before a prosecutor. Local media reported that a 33-year-old man was detained on Tuesday in the Athens region for lighting a portable barbecue in a wooded area and was fined 3,000 euros.