<p>As Greece reels under a devastating wave of wildfires, the country's authorities&nbsp; have&nbsp;arrested several dozens of people for starting wildfires on purpose. The country’s fire department officials arrested two men in the latest instance over charges of arson.</p>

<p>One was arrested on the island of Evia for setting dried grass on fire in the Karystos area. The man also confessed to having set four other fires in the area in July and August. &nbsp;A second man was arrested in the Larissa area of central Greece, who was also accused of intentionally setting fire to dried vegetation.</p>

<h2><strong>Greece govt vows strict action</strong></h2>

<p>Vassilis Kikilias, Greece’s climate crisis and civil protection minister, said Thursday (August 24) that their acts were “despicable.”<br />
<br />
“Some … arsonists are setting fires, endangering forests, property and above all human lives,” Kikilias said.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-can-become-indias-gateway-to-europe-says-greece-foreign-minister-gerapetritis-628735"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Greece can become India`s gateway to Europe, says Foreign Minister Gerapetritis</strong></a></p>

<p>“What is happening is not just unacceptable, but despicable and criminal,” he added.</p>

<p>“You are committing a crime against the country,” Kikilias said. “We will find you. You will be held accountable to justice,” he added.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Greece wildfires: Temperature in Greece touches 41 degree Celsius</strong></p>

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<p>The minister reported that within a span of four hours on Thursday morning, nine fires were deliberately ignited in the Avlona region, situated in the northern foothills of Mount Parnitha. This mountain is among the last remaining green spaces on the outskirts of Athens.</p>

<p>On the same day, a 45-year-old individual was arrested by the police on suspicion of committing arson. He is believed to be responsible for starting a minimum of three fires within the Avlona vicinity. Upon searching his residence, law enforcement discovered materials such as kindling, a fire torch gun, and pine needles.</p>

<h2><strong>About 80 people arrested so far</strong></h2>

<p>According to a BBC report published Friday (August 25), at least 80 people have been arrested so far in a crackdown aimed at reining in arsonists.</p>

<p>Greece has been grappling with a daily surge of numerous fires during the past week. Gale-force winds and the dry, hot conditions of summer have united to inflame these blazes and impede the efforts of firefighting teams.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Friday, firefighters dealt with a total of 111 fires, with 59 of them erupting between Thursday and Friday evenings, according to the fire department.</p>

<p>Although the majority of these fires were swiftly brought under control during their initial stages, a few escalated into extensive infernos that devoured homes and extensive stretches of forest.</p>

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As Greece reels under a devastating wave of wildfires, the country's authorities have arrested several dozens of people for starting wildfires on purpose. The country’s fire department officials arrested two men in the latest instance over charges of arson.

As Greece reels under a devastating wave of wildfires, the country's authorities have arrested several dozens of people for starting wildfires on purpose. The country’s fire department officials arrested two men in the latest instance over charges of arson. One was arrested on the island of Evia for setting dried grass on fire in the Karystos area. The man also confessed to having set four other fires in the area in July and August. A second man was arrested in the Larissa area of central Greece, who was also accused of intentionally setting fire to dried vegetation. Greece govt vows strict action Vassilis Kikilias, Greece’s climate crisis and civil protection minister, said Thursday (August 24) that their acts were “despicable.” “Some … arsonists are setting fires, endangering forests, property and above all human lives,” Kikilias said. Also read: Greece can become India`s gateway to Europe, says Foreign Minister Gerapetritis “What is happening is not just unacceptable, but despicable and criminal,” he added. “You are committing a crime against the country,” Kikilias said. “We will find you. You will be held accountable to justice,” he added. Watch: Greece wildfires: Temperature in Greece touches 41 degree Celsius × The minister reported that within a span of four hours on Thursday morning, nine fires were deliberately ignited in the Avlona region, situated in the northern foothills of Mount Parnitha. This mountain is among the last remaining green spaces on the outskirts of Athens. On the same day, a 45-year-old individual was arrested by the police on suspicion of committing arson. He is believed to be responsible for starting a minimum of three fires within the Avlona vicinity. Upon searching his residence, law enforcement discovered materials such as kindling, a fire torch gun, and pine needles. About 80 people arrested so far According to a BBC report published Friday (August 25), at least 80 people have been arrested so far in a crackdown aimed at reining in arsonists. Greece has been grappling with a daily surge of numerous fires during the past week. Gale-force winds and the dry, hot conditions of summer have united to inflame these blazes and impede the efforts of firefighting teams. On Friday, firefighters dealt with a total of 111 fires, with 59 of them erupting between Thursday and Friday evenings, according to the fire department. Although the majority of these fires were swiftly brought under control during their initial stages, a few escalated into extensive infernos that devoured homes and extensive stretches of forest. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Greece wildfires: Police arrest several dozens of ‘arsonists’ for starting new fires

<p>Greece's senior climate crisis official said that most of the 667 fires, which erupted in recent weeks across the country, were started “by human hand”.<br />
<br />
As the Mediterranean country recovers from unprecedented infernos caused by a 15-day period of heatwave, the scale of the destruction is now being revealed.<br />
<br />
Even though the country battled very different weather conditions and the experts called July's first three weeks as the hottest on record, the government on Friday (July 28) claimed that most of the fires could have been prevented.<br />
<br />
Speaking to media reporters, Greek Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Vassilis Kikilias said, “During this time 667 fires erupted, that is more than 60 fires a day, almost all over the country. Unfortunately, the majority were ignited by human hand, either by criminal negligence or intent.”</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-an-excuse-as-wildfires-rage-greek-pm-says-must-tackle-climate-change-620087">'Not an excuse': As wildfires rage, Greek PM says must tackle climate change</a></p>

<p>Kikilias stated that, in a few places, the fire broke out at different points in close proximity at the same time, which suggested the involvement of arsonists in the further spread of the fire.<br />
<br />
“The difference with other years were the weather conditions. Climate change, which yielded a historic and unprecedented heatwave, is here. There were very few days where the extreme weather was not combined with strong winds,” he added.<br />
<br />
In a long period of time, such record-breaking temperatures have not been registered by the meteorologists in Greece. The country saw temperatures peak to a 15-year high with the exception of islands in the Aegean and Ionian seas.</p>

<h2><strong>UN calls for immediate measures to cut planet-heating emissions</strong></h2>

<p>UN secretary general Antonio Guterres appealed for bold and immediate measures to cut the planet-heating emissions. He said, “The evidence is everywhere. Humanity has unleashed destruction. This must not inspire despair, but action.”<br />
<br />
Greece’s leading expert on atmospheric physics Prof Christos Zerefos said that the situation is likely to worsen every year. “All strategies will have to be reviewed (because of) the climate crisis,” he said. Annual mean temperatures are likely to increase by around 2C over the next 30 years, Zerefos said.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Greece wildfire in Rhode Islands forces tourists to flee</strong></p>

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<p>“The mild winter has resulted in us losing half the water this year, reducing soil moisture and this creates a situation that favours the spread of forest fires. Forest ecosystems in Greece are among the most sensitive in the world. The forest ecosystem is essential. If we protect it there is hope it can regenerate,” he added.</p>

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Greece's senior climate crisis official said that most of the 667 fires, which erupted in recent weeks across the country, were started “by human hand”. As the Mediterranean country recovers from unprecedented infernos caused by a 15-day period of heatwave, the scale of the destruction is now being revealed.

Greece's senior climate crisis official said that most of the 667 fires, which erupted in recent weeks across the country, were started “by human hand”. As the Mediterranean country recovers from unprecedented infernos caused by a 15-day period of heatwave, the scale of the destruction is now being revealed. Even though the country battled very different weather conditions and the experts called July's first three weeks as the hottest on record, the government on Friday (July 28) claimed that most of the fires could have been prevented. Speaking to media reporters, Greek Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Vassilis Kikilias said, “During this time 667 fires erupted, that is more than 60 fires a day, almost all over the country. Unfortunately, the majority were ignited by human hand, either by criminal negligence or intent.” ALSO READ | 'Not an excuse': As wildfires rage, Greek PM says must tackle climate change Kikilias stated that, in a few places, the fire broke out at different points in close proximity at the same time, which suggested the involvement of arsonists in the further spread of the fire. “The difference with other years were the weather conditions. Climate change, which yielded a historic and unprecedented heatwave, is here. There were very few days where the extreme weather was not combined with strong winds,” he added. In a long period of time, such record-breaking temperatures have not been registered by the meteorologists in Greece. The country saw temperatures peak to a 15-year high with the exception of islands in the Aegean and Ionian seas. UN calls for immediate measures to cut planet-heating emissions UN secretary general Antonio Guterres appealed for bold and immediate measures to cut the planet-heating emissions. He said, “The evidence is everywhere. Humanity has unleashed destruction. This must not inspire despair, but action.” Greece’s leading expert on atmospheric physics Prof Christos Zerefos said that the situation is likely to worsen every year. “All strategies will have to be reviewed (because of) the climate crisis,” he said. Annual mean temperatures are likely to increase by around 2C over the next 30 years, Zerefos said. WATCH | Greece wildfire in Rhode Islands forces tourists to flee “The mild winter has resulted in us losing half the water this year, reducing soil moisture and this creates a situation that favours the spread of forest fires. Forest ecosystems in Greece are among the most sensitive in the world. The forest ecosystem is essential. If we protect it there is hope it can regenerate,” he added. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Greece minister holds ‘arsonists’ responsible for most of 667 wildfires

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