Kikilias: There have been 2,166 wildfires and 123 arrests since May 1

Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vasilis Kikilias on Tuesday presented figures for the number of farmland and forest fires throughout the country since the start of the fire season, between May 1 and July 7, in a post on the social media platform X.

He said there had been 2,166 fires during that time in total, for which 123 people were arrested. According to Kikilias, 1,870 of these fires were tackled extremely quickly, while the competent authorities have charged 87 people with causing fires through negligence and 36 with arson. In addition, Greek authorities imposed 256 fines.

“These are the numbers….Behind the numbers, however, there are thousands of people – firefighters, forest commandos, pilots, operational staff, executive staff, trained volunteers, local authority personnel, military personnel, police. For all of us, they daily fight battles protecting lives and properties. We all support them actively by avoiding dangerous work, clearing our land, showing that we care about our country, our forests and our fellow citizens. The common effort on the front line unites us,” Kikilias said.