Greece’ conservative government has launched a new digital platform compelling property owners to declare the cleaning of their land, a critical move aimed at preventing wildfires within urban areas.
Approximately one million owners are required to submit a declaration by May 31 that they have cleared their plots and open spaces in both planned and unplanned urban areas.
The platform, developed in collaboration between the Ministry of Digital Governance, the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, and the Ministry of Interior, serves a dual purpose, authorities say. It not only facilitates cleaning declarations but also allows for the submission of complaints regarding uncleared properties.
Failure to comply with these regulations could result in hefty fines ranging from 1,000 to 54,000 euros and potential imprisonment of up to two years.
According to the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, the initiative outlines preventive fire protection measures for properties located within and near urban planning zones, including those within 100 meters of such areas and unplanned plots with buildings.
Municipalities have specific obligations during the fire season, which lasts from May 1 to October 31. These include conducting inspections, examining complaints to verify compliance, and performing random checks on those who have submitted positive declarations to the National Registry of Preventive Fire Protection Measures through the ministry’s special electronic platform.
In cases of non-compliance, municipalities can impose fines and request inspections by the Fire Service to assess the risk of fire ignition or rapid spread. If necessary, municipalities can undertake immediate cleaning of the areas to eliminate the danger.
In urgent situations with an immediate and particularly high risk of fire, municipalities are permitted to deviate from the standard procedure and carry out emergency cleaning to promptly remove the threat.
Sanctions for non-compliance include a fine of fifty cents per square metre, with a minimum amount of 200 euros, and the cost of forced cleaning and material removal.
Property owners, lessees, usufructuaries, and renters of plots and open spaces within approved urban plans and settlements must clean their properties by April 30 each year to prevent the risk of fire ignition or rapid spread, as mandated by the Deputy Minister of Citizen Protection, Evangelos Tournas.
The directive is part of a comprehensive strategy to enhance urban fire safety and protect communities from the devastating effects of wildfires.