In June 2024, a crew of 13 people took seven passengers on a private yacht off the coast of Athens for a fun night on the Mediterranean Sea. However, as soon as they docked in the port, all 13 crew members were immediately arrested.
When aboard, the crew allegedly lit several fireworks far too close to land, leading to an aggressive wildfire. Now, all of them could face decades in prison for their mistake.
The Forest Fire on the Island of Hydra
On Saturday, June 22, 2024, local firefighters responded to a call that one of the few pine forests on the island of Hydra off the coast of Greece had caught fire.
When they arrived, they found a raging wildfire spreading quickly due to gale-force winds on the island. Six aircraft took off to attack the fire from above, while two teams took on the fire from below.
Once the Fire Was Out, It Was Time to Look for the Culprit
Fortunately, the firefighters worked diligently and put it out before it spread across the entire 19-square-mile island, but it still destroyed 3,000 acres of forest.
The fire was extremely detrimental to the natural landscape, and Greek authorities immediately began investigating to find out how it could have started.
Meanwhile, a Ship Reported Seeing Fireworks From a Nearby Yacht
During their investigation, the police found a report from a ship that a private luxury yacht was sending off fireworks just before the fire started.
The Greek maritime police arrived at the port and met the 13-person crew and seven passengers getting off the yacht. There, they immediately arrested the crew and let the passengers go as they were returning to their home countries the next morning.
Greece Had a Fire Ban at the Time
Greek authorities explained the crew knew that the area was under a strict fire ban that night, meaning campfires, fireworks, and all open flames were expressly forbidden.
While the authorities have yet to determine whether or not the crew is guilty, they have been charged with arson. And if convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison.
Hydra Mayor George Koukoudakis Is “Outraged”
Hydra is known for its beautiful natural landscape, respectful residents, and community feel. It is certainly not common for someone to so blatantly ignore the fire ban and set off dangerous pyrotechnics along the island’s coast.
As the mayor of Hydra, George Koukoudakis, said in a statement after the arrest, “We are outraged. If it’s true, it is something that really saddens me.”
Wildfires Are Often Caused by Human Error
Although human-caused wildfires are not common on the small island of Hydra, unfortunately, they are much more frequent throughout the rest of the world, especially in the United States.
Even though fireworks are common causes of wildfires, millions of untrained Americans set them off every 4th of July without the necessary permits. In fact, every year, on the 4th of July, twice as many fires are recorded than any other day of the year. While the average is only 8,000 fires per day, on the 4th, there are often more than 16,000.
Fireworks Aren’t the Only Activity That Causes Wildfires
Of course, throughout the rest of the year, wildfires are caused by a wide variety of activities, including campfires and gender reveal parties.
This is why it is exceptionally important to follow local guidelines for any and all activities that include open flames and exercise extreme caution even when fires or fireworks are allowed.
Wildfires Are Spreading Faster Than Ever, Thanks to Climate Change
PBS News reported in July 2023 that, over the past 20 years, more than 21.8 million Americans lived within a three-mile radius of a large wildfire. There’s no question that wildfires are increasing in both number and severity, and scientists understand that climate change is to blame.
There are several reasons why the changing climate is increasing the number and strength of wildfires, including the increased air temperature and extensive drought. But many argue the most influential reason is the growing lack of biodiversity.
Changing the Natural Landscape Increases the Risk of Wildfires
When humans make changes to natural ecosystems, they cause extreme upsets in an otherwise perfectly functioning world.
Studies have shown that planting invasive or even non-native plants in regions where they do not naturally grow directly causes more intense and more frequent wildfires. Additionally, after the fires are put out, the lack of biodiversity within the burned plant life leaves the land far more susceptible to another fire.
Wildfires Can Cause Extremely Dangerous Air Pollution
It’s also important to understand that while wildfires are extremely dangerous for residents, wildlife, and the natural ecosystem while they are burning, they can also have negative side effects after they have been put out.
Wildfires cause extreme air pollution for weeks or even months after the incident. According to the BBC, at least 25% of the current air pollution in the United States has been caused by wildfires.
Will the Greek Crew Go to Jail for Setting Off Fireworks?
Whether or not the 13 crew members in Greece will actually spend 20 years behind bars for setting off fireworks on a private yacht and causing a massive wildfire is yet to be determined.
However, their story is certainly a cautionary tale for all people around the world. If you plan to produce an open flame in nature, you need to be exceptionally careful, check for fire bans, and apply for the proper permits ahead of time. Otherwise, you could damage the planet significantly or even find yourself behind bars.
