Apokoronas fire season 2026: Clear your land by June 15 or face fines

Summary

The 2026 fire prevention season is now in effect across Apokoronas municipality, running from May 1 to October 31, with an absolute ban on lighting fires outdoors. Property owners, tenants and occupiers of plots within or near built-up areas are legally required to clear their land of dry vegetation, dead trees and flammable material. The deadline to complete the clearance and file an online declaration is June 15, 2026 — penalties for non-compliance start at €200.

Apokoronas fire season 2026: What property owners must do before June 15

The 2026 fire prevention season is now officially underway across Apokoronas. From May 1 through October 31, lighting any fire outdoors — for any reason — is strictly prohibited across the municipality. At the same time, a legal obligation kicks in for property owners throughout the area: clear your land, or face fines.

Who is affected?

The obligation applies to all owners, tenants and occupiers of plots and open land within the municipality's boundaries, specifically those located:

Within approved town planning zones

Within the boundaries of any village or settlement

Within 100 metres of those boundaries

Outside planning zones but containing a building, provided the land is not covered by forestry law

What needs to be done?

The required clearance covers the removal of all dry grass, leaf litter and other flammable plant material. Dead or broken trees and branches must be cut down and taken away. Trees must be pruned so that no branches touch any building, and dense shrubs must be thinned out. Any flammable, explosive or abandoned materials and rubbish must also be removed. All clearance waste must be taken away properly — dumping it elsewhere is forbidden.

Key dates and penalties

Clearance deadline: June 15, 2026

Online declaration deadline: June 15, 2026

Fine for failing to clear: €1 per square metre, minimum €200, maximum €2,000

Fine for failing to file a declaration (land cleared): €100

Fine for failing to file a declaration (land not cleared): €500

Fine for a false declaration: €5,000, plus possible criminal charges

How to file the required declaration

Once your land is cleared, you must submit a declaration to the national fire prevention register at https://akatharista.apps.gov.gr before June 15, 2026. If age or disability makes online filing impossible, the declaration can be submitted in person at any KEP citizen service centre or directly at the municipality's Cleaning and Green Spaces department.

What happens if you don't comply?

The municipality will carry out inspections to check compliance. If a property is found not to have been cleared, the municipality can step in and carry out the work itself — and bill the owner for the cost.

The official notice is available as a PDF download: Civil Protection Notice (PDF)

CIVIL PROTECTION PRESS RELEASE OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF APOKORONAS

START OF THE 2026 FIRE PREVENTION SEASON

FROM MAY 1 TO OCTOBER 31, 2026

DURING THE ABOVE PERIOD, LIGHTING A FIRE IN THE OPEN COUNTRYSIDE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED FOR ANY REASON.

The Civil Protection Department of the Municipality of Apokoronas also informs owners, possessors, usufructuaries, lessees and sub-lessees of plots and other open spaces located within its administrative boundaries that, pursuant to the provisions of Articles 41, 43 and 44 of Law 5281/2026, as well as Ministerial Decision No. 21837 oik. Φ.700.20/2024 of the Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, they are obliged to carry out the cleaning of their properties.

Time limits of the obligation: The cleaning of plots must be completed by June 15, 2026 and must be maintained throughout the entire fire prevention season.

The obligation concerns properties located:

Within approved urban planning schemes
Within settlement boundaries
Within a distance of up to 100 metres from the boundaries of the above areas
Outside planning schemes with a building on them, provided they are not subject to forestry legislation

What the cleaning includes: The required cleaning includes:

Removal of dry grass, foliage and any combustible plant material
Felling and removal of dead or broken trees and branches
Pruning of trees and avoidance of branch contact with buildings
Thinning of shrub vegetation
Removal of flammable, explosive or abandoned materials and waste
Collection and removal of all cleaning residues

⚠️ It is noted that the uncontrolled disposal of residues is prohibited.

Submission of cleaning declaration: Obligated persons must submit a declaration to the National Register for the Observance of Preventive Fire Protection Measures by June 15, 2026, via the electronic platform: https://akatharista.apps.gov.gr

In cases of objective inability (such as age or disability), the declaration may be submitted through a KEP Citizens' Service Centre or the competent municipal service (Cleaning and Green Spaces Department).

Inspections and sanctions: The Municipality of Apokoronas conducts inspections and on-site visits to verify compliance.

In the event of failure to fulfil the obligations, sanctions are provided in accordance with the applicable legislation, and specifically:

Fine of €1/m², with a minimum of €200 and a maximum of €2,000
Fine for failure to submit a declaration: €500 in the event of non-cleaning; €100 in the event of cleaning without declaration
Fine of €5,000 and criminal sanctions in the event of a false declaration
Ex officio cleaning by the Municipality of Apokoronas with imputation of the cost to the obligated parties

Important Note

Fire prevention is everyone's responsibility.

The cleaning of plots and open spaces is not only a legal obligation, but an essential protective measure for:

Human life
Property
The natural environment

The Municipality of Apokoronas calls on all residents to respond immediately and responsibly, actively contributing to the safety of our area.