Strict bans on fires, hot work, fireworks and beesmoking in the outdoors, with fines of up to €50,000 and heavy criminal penalties.
With the start of the 2026 fire season, the authorities are putting in full force a strict set of rules to prevent firesfires in the outdoors, in an attempt to limit the increasingly frequent incidents linked to human activities. The Fire Service warns that any action involving the use of fire, spark production or dangerous work on forest and agricultural land can result in heavy penalties and punitive fines. Particular emphasis is on prevention, as statistics show that the majority of fires are started by negligence or violation of basic safety rules. In this context, four critical bans are activated concerning burning, hot work, fireworks and beekeeping practices, especially during high-risk periods. Violators not only face administrative fines that can reach very high amounts, but also serious criminal consequences, with the law even providing for felony prosecutions in the event of causing a fire.
In particular, by highlighting four key prohibitions and warnings to citizens to prevent outbreaks of fires in the countryside, the Fire Department is “opening” the 2026 fire season, which began today First May, with the aim of raising information and awareness, in order to prevent fires in forests, woodland, grassland and agricultural areas, parks and groves in cities and residential areas, areas with special protection status, as well as in other areas close to them and land areas, which have plagued our country in recent years.
The remarks
These remarks are part of the general prevention effort, which is the basis of the ministry’s planning, but at the same time they are also based on recent official data, which show that a very large number of fires are caused by human activities in the countryside, which, among other things, draws arrests and serious fines for offenders, which can reach up to 50.000, while arsonists face felony penalties.
Specifically, in the context of this “campaign” to inform citizens in order to have a less disastrous year, the Fire Brigade notes that, from the analysis of the statistics to date, a significant number of fire starts have been identified, due to outdoor activities and works that include lighting, using and maintaining fire, carrying out hot work, using sparking devices, pyrotechnics or fireworks.
For illustrative purposes, as of 1/1/2026, more than 174 administrative fines have been imposed and 35 arrests have been made for violations of fire prevention provisions in forest, agricultural and related lands and ecological areas, several of which developed into forest fires.
Prohibitions
In order to prevent the outbreak of fires in the countryside, it is emphasized that:
– It is prohibited to burn vegetation remains (prunings, crop residues, dry grass, etc.), waste and in general the use of fire in the countryside regardless of the risk index.
– Hot work is prohibited when the risk index is category 3 (high), category 4 (very high) or 5 (state of alert), as well as on other days without observing the prescribed preventive measures, terms and conditions. Hot work is defined as work that produces sparks or involves naked flame/heat, such as welding, welding, cutting, grinding, use of flame or electric arc, and use of equipment that produces heat, flame or sparks.
– It is forbidden to burn pyrotechnic articles in the open air when the risk index is category 3 (high), 4 (very high) or 5 (alarm condition) and on other days without observing the prescribed preventive measures, terms and conditions; – It is forbidden to smoke bees when the risk index is category 4 (very high) or 5 (alarm condition) and on other days without observing the prescribed preventive measures, terms and conditions.
The Fire Department’s announcement
In its announcement, the Fire Department informs citizens that more information on the prohibited and/or permitted, under certain conditions, actions, activities and works with the adoption of fire protection measures is included in the 9th/2024 Fire Protection Decree (Government Gazette B’ 2387).
The notice stresses that failure to comply with the provisions set forth in the above, will incur high administrative fines up to the amount of 50,000 euros in accordance with the provisions of the 19th/2024 Fire Protection Ordinance (B’ 2550).
In addition, it is recalled that the new Criminal Code expressly prohibits the keeping of fire, the performance of hot work, the use of spark-inducing devices or pyrotechnics or fireworks in forests, woodlands, parks, groves, grassland and agricultural land on days when the risk index is 4 (very high) or 5 (state of alert) and offenders are liable to a minimum of one year’s imprisonment and a fine of at least 10.000 euros.
If the above actions cause a serious fire then the perpetrator is prosecuted to the extent of a felony.
Furthermore, arson under the new Criminal Code is punishable by imprisonment or imprisonment without suspension and without possibility of redemption of the sentence and an additional fine of up to 200,000 euros.
The Fire Brigade also stresses that preparatory actions are also punishable as a felony, while in cases of arson in forests which caused a fire resulting in death or serious bodily injury or spreading over a large area, the property or part of the property of the culprit is confiscated at the discretion of the court.
“Prevention is a decisive factor in the protection of human life, property and the natural environment and all citizens are called upon to demonstrate a heightened sense of responsibility. Compliance with the measures is everyone’s obligation,” the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection stresses.
It also says that in case of fire outbreak or smoke detection, citizens should immediately notify the Fire Service by calling 199 or 112.
