Three people were arrested in Kilkis on Saturday, 5 July 2026, for starting wildfires across the region. Authorities detained a 52-year-old, a 44-year-old, and a 57-year-old — each linked to incidents involving open wood burning, barbecuing, or fireworks use.
First Fire: Pikrolimni
The first blaze broke out in Pikrolimni, Kilkis. According to investigators, the 52-year-old was using a barbecue while also setting off fireworks — despite a formal ban in place during days of very high fire risk. A regional ‘orange’ fire alert was active across Kilkis that day. The man was arrested on the spot and fined €4,743.
Second Fire: Leipsydrio
A second fire erupted at 3:36 p.m. in Leipsydrio, within the municipality of Kilkis. It spread into cultivated fields and forest land, consuming approximately 1,300 stremmata (about 32 hectares). Investigators determined the fire started during harvesting operations carried out with machinery by the 44-year-old, who was subsequently arrested.
Third Fire: Anthofyto
At 4:15 p.m., a third fire ignited in dry grass covering roughly 50 square metres near Anthofyto, also in the Kilkis municipality. Preliminary findings indicate it began during wood burning — used to heat water in a metal boiler — by the 57-year-old, who was also taken into custody. He received an administrative fine of €2,065.
From 1 January to 4 July 2026, authorities have issued 518 administrative fines totaling €636,080.80 and made 160 arrests under the ‘in flagrante’ procedure. Of those arrests, 147 (91.88%) involved fires caused by negligence, and 13 (8.13%) by deliberate action.
The Hellenic Fire Service reiterated that the vast majority of wildfires continue to stem from human negligence. It stressed that strict adherence to fire prevention measures — and avoiding any activity that could generate sparks or ignition — remains essential to protecting lives, property, and the natural environment.