The need to complete the cleanup of plots of land by Monday, June 22, the strengthening of prevention and monitoring measures, as well as the readiness of the state apparatus in anticipation of a difficult summer, emphasized the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Evangelos Tournas, speaking today on SKAI TV.
Referring to the deadline for clearing and registering plots of land, the minister made it clear that no further extension will be granted, noting that the relevant decision is made exclusively based on the recommendations of the Assessment Committee Risk. “The extension has been granted. The deadline is on the 22nd of the month. No further extension can be granted, because the climate crisis gives us no leeway,” he emphasized.
As he noted, inspections to ensure compliance with the measure will begin on Tuesday, June 23. “They must be completed by Tuesday, and we’ll begin the inspections then,” he noted, explaining that municipalities have primary responsibility, with the assistance of local fire departments. As he said, the services will inspect the areas under their jurisdiction, “they will walk all the streets and see where the litter is,” so that the prescribed procedures for imposing fines and cleaning up can be followed where necessary.
The minister noted that the situation in the municipalities is generally positive, as many have already completed cleanup efforts in their respective areas. However, as he mentioned, there are also cases of delays, while he placed particular emphasis on the need for municipalities to designate collection sites for cleanup debris, so that citizens do not leave it outside their properties. “That’s not right,” he said emphatically, pointing out that property owners are required to transport the debris “to the locations designated by the municipalities .”
Regarding the risk of fire, Mr. Tournas noted that the first strong winds have already made their appearance, with a risk index of 3 in areas such as Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Ikaria, Southern Euboea, Attica, Eastern Crete, and Karpathos.
As he explained, this development is leading to increased preparedness measures and deployment of forces, “so that we can stay one step ahead,” ensuring that the mechanism can intervene immediately and contain fires in their early stages. As he noted, just this morning, three new fires were recorded, which were detected in time by drones and immediately tackled by ground forces.
Mr. Tournas also spoke at length about strengthening the operational capabilities of the ministry, noting that through the “AIGIS,” a comprehensive modernization of Civil Protection resources and systems is being implemented. As he said, “Year after year, building on a truly massive Civil Protection program—AIGIS—we are acquiring modern, digital resources.”
As the minister noted, a total of 108 surveillance drones are in operation this year, compared to 80 last year, while an additional 47 privately owned drones belonging to the Fire Department are available to meet the needs of the command structures. “These drones fly day and night,” he said, explaining that they provide imagery in both the visible and infrared spectrums, contributing, as he emphasized, to “early warning,” surveillance, and immediate intervention by the forces, “so that we can suppress the fire in the first instance.”
At the same time, he said, the modernization of the Engage operations command and control system is proceeding, the 112 emergency number, as well as the development of the National Database that will support real-time decision-making.
Referring to scientists’ assessments of this year’s wildfire season, Mr. Tournas warned that the months of July and August are expected to be particularly difficult, with rising temperatures and possibly new heat records. “The data we have from the scientific team indicate that we will face a difficult period during July and August,” he said, noting that the primary goal remains reducing fuel load through the clearing of plots of land as well as interventions carried out in the forests.
In this context, he recalled that through the ANTINERO program, projects totaling 82 million euros are being implemented this year in peri-urban forests, while the total preventive measures undertaken by the Ministry of Environment and Energy amount to 660 million euros.
At the same time, as he said, the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has allocated 50 million euros to municipalities this year for prevention and cleanup efforts, compared to 18.5 million euros four years ago.
Mr. Tournas also announced that the number of reported plot cleanups has already reached 550,000, noting, however, that efforts need to be further intensified. “But this is not enough; we must go even further,” he said, calling on citizens to complete the cleanups and submit the relevant declarations via the akatharista.gov.gr platform, as failure to do so will result in significant fines.
He also placed particular emphasis on the need to reduce the number of fires, noting that in Greece, an average of 6,400 fires are recorded per fire season over a twenty-year period. “From May 1 to October 31 over a 20-year period, the average is 6,400 fires. This is unacceptable,” he emphasized, explaining that the large number of incidents causes a fragmentation of available resources.
As he pointed out, 85% of fires are caused by human negligence, a fact which, he added, makes it even more critical to strengthen inspections and investigative procedures. In this context, he emphasized that the Arson Crimes Division has been strengthened, while 37 regional investigative offices are also operating throughout the country.
Based on data from the fire season to date, the minister reported that more than 800 fires have been recorded, of which, he said, approximately 450 have already been investigated, and the applicable fines have been imposed.
At the same time, 93 arrests have been made under the procedure for offenses caught in the act, and there has been a 15% decrease in the total number of fires compared to the corresponding figures from last year. “We will pursue the arsonist, whether the fire was caused by negligence or intent. It makes no difference, because the damage is the same,” emphasized Mr. Tournas, adding that the goal is to further reduce the number of fires to ensure the effective operation of the Civil Protection mechanism throughout the summer.
