Wildfire in Argolida caused by agricultural work with a mulcher – 11 arrests in Argolida, Ilia, Serres, Attica and Lesvos
According to the Fire Brigade, the large agricultural and forest fire at Fichti, Argolida, was caused by sparks produced during agricultural work with a tractor and mulcher, and two people were arrested in the act.
At the same time, a total of 11 arrests were made in six additional cases of violation of fire safety legislation in Ilia, Serres, Attica and Lesvos.
Fichti, Argolida: Regarding the large agricultural and forest fire that broke out at 09:51 on Friday, 31 July 2026, in the area of Fichti in the Municipality of Argos – Mycenae, according to the preliminary investigation data, a 57-year-old Greek man and a 53-year-old Greek woman, while carrying out agricultural work with a tractor fitted with a mulcher, caused sparks, resulting in the outbreak of the fire. The two culprits were arrested in flagrante delicto by officers of the D.A.E.E. (Directorate for Combating Arson Crimes), who had gone to the area to reinforce the investigations of the A.K.A.E.E. (Forensic Investigations Directorate) of Argolida.
Katakolo, Ilia: On the beach “Matzakoura” in the local community of Katakolo, Municipality of Pyrgos, Ilia, near a bushy area, a 34-year-old Greek woman set off a firework at approximately 19:52 on 31 July 2026, violating the fire prevention measures in force due to a risk category 4 index. After the incident was investigated by the A.K.A.E.E. of Ilia, she was arrested in flagrante delicto and an administrative fine of 3,000 euros was imposed on her.
Draviskos, Serres: In the agricultural area of the municipal community of Draviskos, Municipality of Nea Zichni, Serres, a foreign national, at 11:11 today, Saturday 1 August 2026, caused a fire by negligence while burning waste, in particular the outer plastic casing of electrical cables, with the intention of selling them, near an illegal open-air waste disposal site. He was arrested in flagrante delicto by investigating officers of the A.K.A.E.E. of Serres, and an administrative fine of 1,125 euros was imposed on him.
Kifisia, Attica: At 09:38 today, Saturday 1 August 2026, near a forest area, two foreign nationals, Albanian citizens, aged 59 and 49, were carrying out work using an angle grinder, in violation of the applicable legislation, while the area was under a risk category 5 index, i.e. a state of alert and extreme fire danger. The two men were arrested in flagrante delicto by officers of the D.A.E.E. for violating the prescribed fire safety measures, and an administrative fine of 3,750 euros was imposed on them.
Spata – Artemida, Attica: At 09:53 today, Saturday 1 August 2026, in an area of the Municipality of Spata – Artemida, two men, a 52-year-old Greek and a 41-year-old foreign national, a Romanian citizen, were carrying out work using an angle grinder, in violation of the applicable legislation, while the area was under a risk category 5 index, i.e. a state of alert and extreme fire danger. The two men were arrested in flagrante delicto by investigating officers of the A.K.A.E.E. of East Attica, and an administrative fine of 3,750 euros was imposed.
Mystegna, Lesvos: At 16:08 today, Saturday 1 August 2026, on a plot of land in the local community of Mystegna, Municipality of Mytilene, an 18-year-old Greek was carrying out hot work using a metal cutting disc, with a fire risk index category 4, resulting in a fire caused by negligence. The fire burned approximately 50 square metres of dry grass within the plot. The 18-year-old was arrested in flagrante delicto by investigating officers of the A.K.A.E.E. of Lesvos, and an administrative fine of 3,750 euros was imposed on him.
Nea Erythraia, Attica: At 13:34 today, Saturday 1 August 2026, in the outdoor area of a single-family house, a 74-year-old Greek and a foreign national were carrying out hot metal-cutting work using an angle grinder and electric welding. The work was being carried out while the area was under a risk category 5 index, i.e. a state of alert, and at a spot largely covered by forest vegetation. The two men were arrested in flagrante delicto by investigating officers of the A.K.A.E.E. of Athens, and an administrative fine of 3,000 euros was imposed.
It is noted that from 1 January to 1 August 2026, a total of 641 administrative fines have been imposed, amounting to 949,770.50 euros, while 254 arrests have been made in flagrante delicto, of which 226 (88.98%) were for negligence and 28 (11.02%) were intentional.
The Directorate for Combating Arson Crimes (D.A.E.E.) and the investigating services of the Fire Brigade remain at full deployment in the field of operations, investigating every trigger of fire outbreak, with the aim of promptly establishing the causes and attributing the prescribed criminal and administrative responsibilities wherever violations of the applicable legislation are found.
The Fire Brigade reminds that the protection of human life, the natural environment and citizens’ property is a collective responsibility. Strict compliance with fire safety measures and the avoidance of any action that could cause a fire, especially on days of very high and extreme risk, is crucial for preventing disastrous consequences.
Source: skai.gr
