Arson or Negligence: Understanding Greece’s Wildfire Crisis

Greece is grappling with a significant increase in arrests related to wildfires, highlighting a persistent human element in the country’s fire season. The data reveals a complex picture, with both negligence and intentional arson contributing to the crisis.

In the current fire season in Greece, over 310 individuals have been arrested on suspicion of starting wildfires. Notably, the Directorate for Combating Arson Crimes (DAEE) has made 50 arrests so far this year, a sharp increase from fewer than 10 in previous years.

2024: The majority of arrests were for intentional arson (36 cases), with 15 arrests for negligence.

2025 (until July): There has been a notable shift, with negligence-related arrests (35 cases) more than doubling the number of intentional arson arrests.

The Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Yiannis Kefalogiannis, has repeatedly emphasized the role of human action, stating, “seven out of ten fires are caused by human factors and mainly by negligence.” This points to the need for greater public awareness and responsibility.

Common causes of negligence

Fires caused by negligence can result from various avoidable actions:

• Discarding lit cigarettes or matches in dry, flammable areas.
• Lighting fires in open spaces without proper precautions, such as in areas with dry vegetation.
• Careless burning of dry grass and agricultural residues.
• Sparks from machinery used in agricultural work.
• Abandoned campfires that have not been properly extinguished.
• Poorly maintained electrical equipment leading to short circuits.

Investigations for arson-related wildfires in Greece

Recent fires across Greece are under intense scrutiny, with authorities collecting evidence such as photographic and video footage, and witness testimonies.

Zakynthos: A 59-year-old man with a history of arson, previously arrested for starting two fires, is once again a suspect in a recent blaze.

Vonitsa: Three separate fires broke out in the early morning hours in Paliabela and Vatos, leading authorities to investigate two suspects.

Preveza: Investigators are focusing on a blue motorcycle and its driver, who were seen near the fire’s origin.

Patras: Authorities are examining video footage showing two individuals acting suspiciously near the fire’s ignition point.

Satellite data shows 24,000 acres affected in just two days

As Greece contends with widespread forest fires across the country, preliminary satellite data shows that nearly 24,700 acres (about 10,000 hectares) have been impacted by six major fire fronts in the past two days.

Early-morning temperature hotspot data from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) satellites revealed the extent of the affected areas, with estimated damage in each region as follows:

• Chios: ~9,880 acres (4,000 hectares)
• Moiraiika, Achaia: ~4,940 acres (2,000 hectares)
• Filippiada (Preveza region): ~4,450 acres (1,800 hectares)
• Zakynthos: ~4,210 acres (1,700 hectares)
• Paliampela (Preveza): ~618 acres (250 hectares)
• Patras area: ~494 acres (200 hectares)

Authorities emphasize that these figures do not reflect the actual area burned but rather the regions where fire activity was detected.

Wildfires are raging across parts of Europe, including Spain, Portugal, Turkey, and the Balkans, fueled by extreme heat, wind, and drought. Scientists link the surging forest fires each year with global warming in the Mediterranean region.