A 44-year-old woman in Greece has been sentenced for intentionally starting two wildfires, reportedly because she wanted to flirt with the firefighters who would arrive to extinguish them. The incidents occurred on August 24 and 25 in the Kerasitsa area of the Municipality of Tripoli, Arcadia. Following her actions, the woman was arrested and later sentenced to a suspended 36-month prison term and fined €1,000 (around $1,106).
Authorities became suspicious when they noticed her presence at both fire scenes. The fires she set were relatively minor and quickly contained by firefighters, affecting only small plots of land. However, her actions have raised concerns, especially considering the serious wildfire situation Greece has been facing.
The country has recently experienced severe wildfires, with extreme heatwaves and drought conditions making the landscape especially vulnerable to fires. In August 2024, wildfires forced the evacuation of thousands as flames spread near the outskirts of Athens, devastating forests, farmlands, and homes. These conditions are exacerbated by climate change, resulting in hotter and longer-lasting heatwaves that leave the ground dry and flammable.
Greece’s current climate situation underlines the gravity of the woman’s actions, despite her motivations being considered trivial or misguided. The nation’s firefighting resources are already stretched thin, dealing with natural and devastating fires, making any additional, preventable blazes a significant issue.
