Fire risk soars ahead of August 15 weekend
Greek authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution ahead of the August 15 weekend, with high temperatures and strong winds expected to increase the risk of wildfires.
Kostas Tsigas said 90% of fires are attributed to negligence and 10% to deliberate actions, highlighting activities such as hot works, welding, machinery use, grass burning, fireworks and smoking as major risks.
“Under these conditions and these temperatures and winds, it is unthinkable” to carry out grass burning or hot works, Tsigas said, urging people to postpone non-essential work until weather conditions improve.
Authorities have so far made 272 arrests and issued 677 administrative fines totaling more than €1 million, he said.
Kouvaras fire under investigation
Meanwhile, investigators are examining whether an electrical fault may have triggered the recent fire in the Kouvaras area.
According to preliminary information, two overhead power cables may have come into contact, producing a spark that ignited dry vegetation near Agios Stylianos, close to Kouvaras and Kalyvia.
The theory has not yet been confirmed. An expert is expected to examine the suspected point of ignition, an electricity pylon and related network equipment.
Three local residents have reportedly told investigators they saw a spark in the area.
Authorities are also conducting a nationwide preliminary investigation into possible fires linked to equipment failures near wind farms. Prosecutors are examining whether wind farm operators comply with licensing requirements and technical standards for installation, maintenance and operation.
The investigations into the Kouvaras and Viotia fires remain ongoing as authorities seek to determine whether electrical network sparks played a role in their ignition.
Source:ERT
