In Greece, authorities are taking decisive action in response to a series of devastating wildfires by proposing stricter penalties for arson. The fines for such offenses are set to be increased to ten times their current level. This comes in the wake of a troubling surge in major wildfires that have inflicted more damage than the total recorded throughout the entire year of 2022.

Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias revealed that the details of these measures would be announced in the coming month. He emphasized that fines for intentionally causing fires or engaging in negligent behavior leading to wildfires would be on par with the penalties introduced two years prior for animal abuse. Such penalties could carry a hefty fine of up to 50,000 euros ($55,000) and a maximum jail sentence of 10 years.

In an interview with state television, Minister Kikilias underscored the need for a shift in mentality to tackle the issue effectively. The proposed changes would not only include tougher penalties but also initiatives focused on fostering awareness of forest fire prevention.

“I am obliged to say that the next fire season will find us in a different position, It’s not just the penalties — the fines will increase tenfold — but we need a … change in mentality,” Kikilias said. To achieve this, school programs and locally-based efforts are expected to be implemented, stated the Minister.

Greece has been grappling with a staggering number of wildfires, with 10 major blazes occurring last month alone. Among these, fires struck near Athens and on the island of Rhodes amid three successive heatwaves. As a consequence of these wildfires, over 500 square kilometers (nearly 200 square miles) of land have been ravaged so far in 2023. This figure exceeds the entire land area burned in the entirety of 2022, according to the European Forest Fire Information System, an agency of the European Union that tracks wildfire damage using satellite data.

In response to the severity of the situation, the Greek authorities are taking proactive measures to prevent further disasters and protect their natural landscapes. By imposing tougher penalties and focusing on prevention awareness, they aim to minimize the devastation caused by future wildfires and safeguard their precious environment.