The deadline for submission of fire protection technical reports by property owners located near, or within, forested areas ends today. After the submission of the technical report and the risk report by the relevant scientists to whom they are addressed, the owners of these properties must, by the last day of June, make the necessary interventions for this year, namely the pruning of trees, shrubs and the removal of combustible materials, and submit the relevant Fire Protection Regulation compliance report.

A “window” for a new extension of the deadline does not seem to be opened, at least for now, with government sources pointing out that at least for this year, the essence is more important, i.e. for citizens who have homes very close to or within forest areas to take the necessary actions to be ready in case of a fire, as well as to receive the documented opinion of a scientist on the interventions required in their properties to “shield” them from fire.

The scientists, say the same sources, should inform the owners about the risks and recommend viable measures, depending on the financial capabilities of each property owner. ‘The point, after all,’ the same sources say, ‘is not to impose fines, but to inform citizens on the front line of danger by a scientist on how to protect their lives, their property and make the work of the fire brigade easier, rather than more difficult. This, of course, for those who believe their properties deserve to be protected.”

Apart from this, this year’s Fire Protection Regulation declarations will also serve as a “working exercise” by the relevant agencies, who will study them in order to identify any gaps, shortcomings and omissions that may exist in the process, and to make interventions where necessary.

It is recalled that the declarations are submitted either manually or by e-mail by the competent scientific engineers, surveyors, foresters or agronomists who prepare the reports on behalf of the owners. For this year, however, the application of measures to comply with the proposed measures has been suspended and only the application of the necessary fire protection measures is mandatory. These relate to the first line of protection from a fire, namely branches and trees adjacent to buildings, dry grass, bushes and rubbish, as well as combustible materials outdoors.

June 30, however, the same day that those subject to the Fire Protection Ordinance near (within 300 meters) or within forested areas must file their Compliance Report, the deadline for cleared lots is June 30. By this date, the owners should have completed the work of removing dry grass, cutting trees and bushes that could be a source of fire outbreak or expansion and submit the declaration on the online platform.

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