Greek Fire Service arrests arsonists, finishes 325 post‑fire inspections

Greek Fire Service arson arrests building inspections wildfire risk Crete fire warning

The Greek Fire Service’s anti‑arson units have made a series of arrests after recent wildfires. Three suspects were detained for fires in Trikala, East Attica and Preveza, receiving fines of €1,500, €3,000 and €2,255.86 respectively. Additional arrests were made in Skyrio (a 63‑year‑old woman, fined €3,600 for a generator‑caused blaze) and Laconia (a 71‑year‑old man, fined €3,600 for a grill‑induced fire). From 1 January to 5 August 2026 a total of 670 administrative fines amounting to €1,022,593.87 were issued and 267 arrests recorded, the overwhelming majority for negligence.

In parallel, the General Directorate of Restoration of Natural Disaster Impacts (ΓΔΑΕΦΚ) has completed 325 building inspections in the areas damaged by the fires. The inspections classified 88 buildings as “green”, 119 as “yellow” and 118 as “red”. The bulk of the work – 206 inspections – took place in the West Attica municipalities of Mandras, Eidyllia and Megara, with additional checks in the regions of Rethymno, Achaea, Argolis, Boeotia and Phocis. Deputy Minister Kostas Katsafados said the inspections are the first step and the next phase will involve collecting damage files from the municipalities.

The Civil Protection Authority also warned that the entire island of Crete faces a very high fire‑risk level (category 4) on 8 August 2026. Restrictions were imposed on burning agricultural waste, outdoor fires, use of grills, fireworks, hot‑work activities and movement of people and vehicles in designated forest zones.

Entities

Crete · Directorate for Fire Crime (Διεύθυνση Αντιμετώπισης Εγκλημάτων Εμπρησμού) · East Attica · General Directorate for Restoration of Natural Disaster Impacts (GDAEFK) · General Directorate of Restoration of Natural Disaster Impacts (ΓΔΑΕΦΚ) · Greek Fire Service · Kostas Katsafados · Municipality of Spata-Artemida · Municipality of Trikala · Municipality of Ziros · Preveza · Trikala

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] From 1 January to 5 August 2026, 670 administrative fines totalling €1,022,593.87 were issued and 267 arrests were made, 89.14 % for negligence and 10.86 % for intent. www.naftemporiki.gr · www.zougla.gr · www.dimokratia.gr · www.orthodoxtimes.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] In Preveza, a Greek woman set dry grass on fire in the Assos area of the Ziros municipality and was fined €2,255.86. www.naftemporiki.gr · www.zougla.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] In East Attica, a 50‑year‑old foreign national used a grill within 300 metres of a forested area in the Spata‑Artemida municipality, violating fire‑safety regulations and was fined €3,000. www.naftemporiki.gr · www.zougla.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The Directorate for Fire Crime and the Fire Service’s investigative services remain on high operational readiness, conducting intensive checks and immediate accountability. www.naftemporiki.gr · www.zougla.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Three arrests were made by the Greek Fire Service’s investigative units for negligent fire‑setting in Trikala, East Attica and Preveza. www.naftemporiki.gr · www.zougla.gr
[● 5 SOURCES] The Greek Fire Service states that the overwhelming majority of fires are caused by human negligence. www.naftemporiki.gr · www.zougla.gr · www.dimokratia.gr · www.orthodoxtimes.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] In Trikala, a 32‑year‑old Greek man set fire to a pile of vegetation in the Diakleto community on 4 August 2026 and was fined €1,500. www.naftemporiki.gr · www.zougla.gr
[● 5 SOURCES] Deputy Minister Kostas Katsafados said the inspections are the first step and the next stage will involve collecting damage files from municipalities. fimotro.gr · www.in.gr · www.enikos.gr · www.dimokratia.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The three arrested individuals were fined €1,500 (Trikala), €3,000 (East Attica) and €2,255.86 (Preveza). www.dimokratia.gr · www.naftemporiki.gr · www.orthodoxtimes.gr
[○ 1 SOURCE] Four arrests were made for fires in Chios, Helia, Pieria and Drama, with fines ranging from €1,968.75 to €3,000.
[● 2 SOURCES] A 63‑year‑old woman was arrested on Skyrio for a fire caused by a generator and fined €3,600; a 71‑year‑old man was arrested in Laconia for a grill‑caused fire and also fined €3,600. www.cnn.gr
[● 4 SOURCES] Three arrests were made by Greek Fire Service investigative units for fires in Trikala, East Attica and Preveza. www.dimokratia.gr · www.naftemporiki.gr · www.orthodoxtimes.gr · www.zougla.gr