The first five days of July account for more than 10% of all arrests made this year, according to the Greek Fire Service. Specifically, from July 1st through July 5th, 2026, a total of 20 arrests were made under expedited legal proceedings for cases involving the negligent causing of fires, while 20 administrative fines were also imposed, totalling €55,005.99. In just five days, 20 of the 164 total arrests recorded since the beginning of the year were made — representing 12.2% of all 2026 arrests. In other words, more than one in ten arrests made since January 1st occurred within the first five days of July.
How the fires started
The arrests relate to fires caused during hot work operations, including the use of angle grinders and other spark-producing tools, agricultural machinery, the burning of plant and crop residue, as well as other negligent actions carried out in violation of current legislation and under conditions of heightened fire risk.
Notable cases were investigated in Halkidiki, Farkadona in Trikala, Atalanti, Thessaloniki, Goumenissa, Grevena, Kilkis and Oraiokastro, where investigative units swiftly identified those responsible and initiated expedited arrest proceedings.
In one case in Atalanti, Fthiotis, a fire broke out during combine harvester operations and rapidly spread into forested land, burning a large number of acres. In other areas, cases were linked to hot work activities, the use of angle grinders, and other actions capable of generating sparks or ignition.
Similarly, in Oraiokastro, Thessaloniki, the major fire that broke out on the evening of July 4th triggered a large-scale mobilization of the Fire Service and resulted in the destruction of businesses and significant damage to private property. A specialized team from the Fire Investigation Unit (D.A.E.E.) was immediately dispatched from Athens to assist the Thessaloniki Fire Investigation Branch (A.K.A.E.E.) in its investigation, which led within hours to the case being solved and the arrest of a 76-year-old Greek national on charges of negligently causing a fire.
Zero tolerance
The figures from the first five days of July reflect the Fire Service’s continuous operational activity and its systematic investigation of every incident — during a period when dry vegetation, high temperatures and locally strong winds can turn even a momentary act of carelessness into a serious fire emergency.
It is made clear that there will be zero tolerance for any form of arson, whether intentional or negligent. Checks will continue with undiminished intensity, and wherever violations are identified, expedited arrest proceedings will be immediately initiated and the applicable administrative and criminal penalties will be imposed.
