Crete accounts for two of Greece’s four most destructive wildfires this year, ministry data shows

Two of the four most destructive wildfires in Greece this year broke out in Crete, in the municipality of Agios Vasileios in southern Rethymno, according to data released by the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection.

The ministry’s figures, drawn from the Fire Service and the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), show that from May 1 to October 7, 2026, a total of 335,780 stremmata burned nationwide, with 4,274 fire outbreaks recorded. The number of outbreaks was down 24.4% compared with the 20-year average of 5,651, and total burned area fell 36.4% below the two-decade average.

Despite the overall improvement, four large fires that broke out in late July accounted for roughly 195,000 stremmata of destruction — more than half of the season’s total burned area.

Two fires in Rethymno burned 50,000 stremmata

On July 29 and 30, two fires in the municipality of Agios Vasileios burned a combined total of about 50,000 stremmata, the ministry said.

The following day, July 31, two further fires broke out in Xironomi and Agios Vasileios in the Boeotia region of mainland Greece, with the second spreading toward Porto Germeno and areas further south. Those two mainland fires together burned approximately 145,000 stremmata, according to the ministry’s data.

Breakdown of burned land by vegetation type

The ministry’s figures also break down the burned area by land type. Purely forested land accounted for 29,331 stremmata burned, a 75.3% reduction compared with the 20-year average.

The remaining burned area was distributed as follows: 150,000 stremmata of forest land, mostly low vegetation, scrub and rocky terrain (down 23.58%); 71,000 stremmata of agricultural land (down 27.38%); and 86,000 stremmata of grassland, reed beds, marshes and crop residue, which authorities expect to regenerate naturally over the coming years.

Evangelos Tournas, the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, said in a recent interview that the fire service “fought a very difficult battle, with results we must evaluate honestly.” He said the two goals of the season — reducing fire outbreaks and reducing burned area — “were achieved to a satisfactory degree,” adding that the fire season runs until October 31.

Arson cases and fines

According to Civil Protection, 99.7% of fire outbreaks were contained during the initial response. From January 1 to October 6, 2026, authorities made 368 arrests under flagrante delicto procedures for arson. Of these, 327 (88.86%) involved negligent arson and 41 (11.14%) involved intentional arson.

During the same period, 864 administrative fines were issued, totaling €1,483,790.16. Enforcement activity peaked over the summer: from June to August, authorities made 265 arrests, up 56.8% from 169 in the same period of 2025, of which 234 involved negligence and 31 involved intent. Summer fines reached 392, up from 286 the previous year, totaling €939,994.38.

In September alone, 35 arrests were made (31 for negligence, four for intent), along with 81 fines totaling €178,983.27.

Civil Protection sources said the high number of negligence-related arson arrests highlights risks linked to activities such as burning crop residue and hot-work operations. The Directorate for Combating Arson Crimes has been reinforced with 37 new regional units. “Whether from negligence or intent, the destruction is the same,” Tournas said. “We insist on prevention, controls and investigating incidents,” linking these measures to the drop in fire outbreaks.

Greece compared with other Mediterranean countries

Ministry sources said Greece’s improved performance this year comes despite a difficult fire season across the Mediterranean overall. EFFIS data show Greece recorded a smaller total burned area in 2026 than Turkey, Spain, France, Portugal and Italy.

By comparison, Spain’s burned area rose 220.2% above its own long-term average, France’s rose 535.7%, and Italy’s rose 93.1%. The ministry said a final evaluation of this year’s fire season will take place after it concludes at the end of October.