Fire Department Begins Inspections of Uncleaned Plots – 3,748 Citizen Complaints in 18 Days

The Fire Department has begun inspections of uncleaned plots following citizen complaints submitted through the relevant platform. Firefighting teams are visiting locations reported by citizens to verify the allegations. According to data from Civil Protection, between June 16 and July 3, 2025 — within an 18-day period — a total of 3,748 complaints were filed regarding uncleaned plots, with 3,528 of them under investigation. So far, 164 inspections have been conducted based on these complaints, during which 72 cases of uncleaned and undeclared plots were identified, along with 9 cases that were simply not declared. According to the same data, 83 plot owners had already complied with regulations during the inspections, meaning the complaints had no basis, and no false reports were found. Municipalities where violations were detected have also been informed and have imposed 13 fines out of the 72 total cases so far. Officials from Civil Protection noted that last year there were 8,106 complaints; however, the submission platform remained open until nearly the end of the year, closing on December 29, 2024. Fire Department personnel evaluate and inspect complaints submitted via the digital service of the National Register for Preventive Protection Measures, prioritizing properties based on risk levels. As previously announced by the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, under a new ministerial decision published in early June, the Fire Department now has the authority to conduct inspections and impose fines based on citizen complaints regarding uncleaned plots. In addition, municipalities carry out random checks on at least 5% of property declarations within their administrative boundaries. These municipal inspections and citizen complaints are prioritized according to the risk level of each property. For example, priority is given to properties adjacent to forests, hospitals, schools, industrial zones, or hard-to-reach areas. Specifically, as outlined in guidelines, municipal authorities prioritize the need for cleaning based on location, including: mixed forest-residential zones; areas near protected natural sites (such as National Parks, Natura regions, wildlife sanctuaries, landscapes of special natural beauty); proximity to forests, parks, or green spaces; difficult evacuation routes or access for emergency vehicles; proximity to sensitive facilities like hospitals, schools, elderly care centers, or camps; areas near industrial parks or facilities storing hazardous materials; presence of high or medium voltage power lines; history of fire incidents; low building density with many continuous, densely vegetated open spaces. It should be noted that in addition to these criteria, the flammability, continuity, and density of vegetation are also considered. If landowners fail to clean their plots, submit false declarations, or do not declare at all — even if the plot is clean — legal penalties apply, the area is cleaned at the owner’s expense, and the responsible authorities are notified.