More than 280 people have been arrested in Greece this year so far over fire-related offenses, the fire service said Wednesday, as the country remains on high alert for new blazes. The figure is down on the previous two years, after the Greek government toughened penalties against those found guilty of starting fires in recent years. In total, 281 arrests were made since January -- including 252 for fires caused by negligence and 29 for deliberate arson, fire service spokesman Yannis Atropios said on public television channel ERT. Between January and August 2024, 360 arrests related to fires took place, though only 12 people were placed in pre-trial detention, according to the Greek fire service. It said 315 arrests were made and nine people were placed in pre-trial detention during the same period in 2025. Arrests for arson have steadily increased between 2014 and July 2025. Those 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 remains on high alert for fires Wednesday, days after a blaze destroyed more than 11,000 hectares of pine forest, scrubland and farmland near a seaside resort northwest of the capital Athens. Due to high winds the fire took five days to bring under control. On Wednesday a 59-year-old man was arrested in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, for his involvement in more than five fires over a two-week period. He is due to appear before a prosecutor later in the day, according to ERT. Another man, aged 33, was detained on Tuesday in the Athens region for lighting a portable barbecue in a wooded area. He was fined 3,000 euros, according to local media.
