Only around one in four property owners have completed the mandatory clearing of plots as a wildfire prevention measure, with the June 15 deadline fast approaching.
Speaking to SKAI on Wednesday, Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Evangelos Tournas said between 300,000 and 350,000 properties have been declared on the akatharista.gov.gr platform, describing the figure as “not satisfactory.” Last year, declarations neared 500,000, while in 2024 they exceeded 800,000 out of an estimated 1.2-1.3 million eligible properties.
Property owners are seeking at least a two-week extension, but Tournas said the deadline remains June 15, stressing that “postponement does not help” and urging citizens to fulfill their obligations on time.
The minister acknowledged that recent humidity and rainfall may have slowed progress but called for intensified efforts in the coming days to remove combustible material and reduce fire risk.
Manos Kranidis, information secretary of the Panhellenic Federation of Property Owners (POMIDA), said the delays cannot be attributed solely to weather conditions. He cited high costs and insufficient public awareness, arguing that municipalities inform through notification letters instead of digital communication methods such as email.
