With the summer season approaching and the risk of causing and spreading fires being extremely increased, the Department of Forests of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment sends a clear message to the public that lighting a fire in a state forest or at a distance of two kilometers from its demarcation line is strictly prohibited. Any reckless action poses serious risks to the natural environment, human lives and property.
The legislation is relentless for those who endanger our forest wealth. Depending on the season, out-of-court fines for lighting a fire without a permit are scaled as follows:
- May – October (high risk): Out-of-court settlement of €2,500.
- March, April and November: Out-of-court settlement of €1,000.
- December – February: Out-of-court settlement of €500.
In the event of a judicial conviction, the court may impose a prison sentence not exceeding five years or a fine of up to €25,000, or both sentences together.
Even more severe are the consequences for anyone who causes a fire in a state forest or in the 2 km zone. due to reckless or negligent action (or failure to take precautions). If damage is caused to a forest, wooded area or foreign property, the perpetrator faces up to 12 years in prison or a fine of up to €100,000, or both penalties together.
Lighting a fire is allowed only for the preparation of food in the following cases:
1. By excursionists within the specially arranged areas in organized picnic and camping areas.
2. By owners of houses within the forest or the 2 km zone, in a specially arranged outdoor area, or in catering and leisure centers licensed by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism.
Increased incidents, immediate extinguishing
Statistics for the year 2025 demonstrate significant operational efficiency, with an average burned area of 0.7 hectares per fire and an average intervention time of 11.5 minutes.
In 2025, 232 fires broke out in the zone of responsibility of the Department of Forests. This number shows an increase of 30% compared to the average of the decade 2015–2024. In contrast, the total burned area (109 hectares) recorded an impressive decrease of 84%.
The average burned area per fire was limited to one hectare (a decrease of 73.7% compared to 3.8 hectares in the previous decade). In fact, in 91% of cases, the fire was extinguished before spreading beyond one hectare. The Department of Forests also assisted the Fire Service in extinguishing 98 outdoor fires.
With the funding of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, the Department of Forests currently has the largest fleet of ground assets in its history:
The ground firefighting means were substantially strengthened, in the context of the implementation of one of the most important equipment programs of the Department of Forests, through the Recovery and Resilience Plan. Today, the Department of Forests has the following firefighting equipment, which make up the largest fleet it has ever had at its disposal:
(a) 135 fire trucks of various types and water capacity, as follows: • 36 fire trucks with a water capacity <1,000 liters • 39 fire trucks with a water capacity >1,000-3,000 liters • 35 fire trucks with a water capacity >3,000-5,000 liters • 25 fire trucks with a water capacity >5,000 liters
(b) 20 earth pushers (tracked trucks) (c) seven excavators (rubber trucks) (d) 11 agricultural tractors (e) six land pusher transport vehicles (f) six tankers with a capacity of 20 tons
At the same time, the protection is supported by a huge infrastructure network that includes 25 forest stations on standby, 15 fire lookouts, 32 observation posts, 1,001 km. fire lanes, 3,643 km. forest roads, 234 water tanks, 234 water spouts, 39 helipads and 18 fire safety systems in picnic/camping areas.
(b) 20 earth pushers (tracked trucks) (c) seven excavators (rubber trucks) (d) 11 agricultural tractors (e) six land pusher transport vehicles (f) six tankers with a capacity of 20 tons
At the same time, the protection is supported by a huge infrastructure network that includes 25 forest stations on standby, 15 fire lookouts, 32 observation posts, 1,001 km. fire lanes, 3,643 km. forest roads, 234 water tanks, 234 water spouts, 39 helipads and 18 fire safety systems in picnic/camping areas.
