Israeli national arrested over Crete wildfire linked to barbecue

Greek authorities have arrested a 35-year-old Israeli national on suspicion of inadvertently starting a wildfire on the island of Crete, after he allegedly used a barbecue while a high wildfire-risk warning was in effect.

The man was arrested by investigators from the Greek Fire Service on Saturday following a fire that broke out on Friday evening in the municipality of Agios Vassilios, in the Rethymno regional unit.

According to Greek authorities, the fire started at about 7.11pm local time. It was brought under control approximately four hours later and did not spread over a large area.

The man, whose name has not been released, is accused of negligent arson.

Barbecue used despite wildfire warning

The Israeli national was reportedly staying at a guesthouse in a forested area near Rethymno when the fire began.

According to reports cited by The Times of Israel, authorities believe embers from a barbecue may have been carried by strong winds from the area where he was staying, eventually igniting vegetation.

The incident occurred while authorities had issued a warning of a very high risk of wildfires. A burn ban was also reportedly in effect across Crete.

Fire Service investigators arrested the man after examining the circumstances surrounding the blaze.

The case will now go before an examining magistrate and a prosecutor. They will determine whether charges should be brought and, if charges are pursued, whether the suspect should be remanded in custody or released under conditions.

Greek authorities have increased enforcement against people who start fires as the country faces recurring wildfire threats during the summer months.

Nearly 300 people arrested over fires this year

The arrest in Crete came as Greece reported hundreds of people being detained over fire-related offences since the beginning of the year.

From January 1 through Saturday, authorities had arrested 297 people for starting fires, according to figures from the Greek Fire Service.

Of those arrested, 267 were accused of starting fires inadvertently, while 30 were arrested in connection with deliberate fires or arson.

Authorities have assessed fines totalling €1,136,593.21 (US$1.32 million) in relation to fire offences during the same period.

The figures indicate that most of the arrests this year have involved fires that authorities considered to have been started unintentionally.

Last week, the Greek Fire Service said more than 280 people had already been arrested across the country for fire-related offences this year.

The number was lower than figures recorded during the previous two years, following tougher penalties introduced by the Greek government for people found responsible for starting fires.

Under the tougher rules, those responsible for starting fires in Greece can face prison sentences of up to 20 years and fines of up to €200,000 (US$233,000).

Greece hit by new wave of wildfires

The Crete fire came amid a renewed period of wildfire activity across Greece.

After largely avoiding the most severe heatwave temperatures that affected large parts of Europe earlier in the summer, Greece has experienced several major wildfires since late July.

Unusually strong winds have contributed to the spread of fires in several areas, creating difficult conditions for firefighters.

On Sunday, the Greek Fire Service reported 36 fires across the country during the preceding 24-hour period.

Two fires on the island of Salamis, near Athens, killed two people on Sunday, while hundreds of residents were evacuated from areas threatened by the flames.

The fires occurred as authorities continued to monitor weather and fire conditions across the country.

Strong winds had been a particular concern during the latest outbreak of fires. However, forecasts indicated that winds would weaken later on Sunday.

According to Greece's Civil Protection Ministry, no part of the country was expected to be classified above level 3 on the five-point national fire-risk scale on Monday.

It was the first time in 10 days that no area was expected to be placed above level 3.

Fire risk remains a major concern

Greece's Mediterranean climate means the country regularly faces elevated wildfire risks during the summer, particularly when high temperatures combine with dry vegetation and strong winds.

Authorities have introduced restrictions on activities that can potentially cause fires during periods of elevated risk, including the use of fire in areas where vegetation is dry.

The Crete incident highlights the enforcement of those restrictions, with investigators examining whether activities such as barbecuing contributed to the ignition of a wildfire.

In this case, the fire in Agios Vassilios was contained after approximately four hours and did not develop into a large-scale blaze.

The 35-year-old Israeli national will now face the Greek judicial process, with a magistrate and prosecutor expected to determine the next steps in the case.

The arrest is among hundreds made by Greek authorities this year in connection with wildfires, with the majority involving allegations that fires were started unintentionally.