With the approach of the period in which no open fires are allowed as a fire-prevention measure – from 1st May to 31st October – the Municipality of Platanias has issued the following notice addressed to all residents.
“In anticipation of the coming fire-prevention period, the municipality of Platanias informs its citizens that the owners, legal usufructuaries, tenants and sub-tenants of the following types of land:
– building sites and other unbuilt parcels which are within areas with approved zoning plans and within settlements without approved zoning plans,
– parcels which are within a radius of 100 metres from the boundaries of the above areas, and
– parcels outside these areas which have buildings on them,
are obliged to clear them between 1st and 30th April, as well as to keep them clear throughout the fire-prevention period, i.e. from 1st May to 31st October 2023, to avoid the danger of an outbreak of fire or its rapid spread.
“According to Fire Prevention Regulation 20/2022, clearance includes:
– Cutting down and removal of dead and broken trees and branches, as well as branches which are close to buildings (less than 3 metres away) creating a danger of the transmission of fire. Removal and burning of plant materials on the ground, such as foliage, dried weeds and fallen branches.
– Pruning of tree branches from the ground up to at least chest height (about 1.5 metres) while preserving 50 per cent of the crown.
– Removal of all burnt and uprooted materials in the aforementioned areas.
– Collection and removal of all the debris from clearances.
“If the aforegoing obligation to keep land clear is not met, the Municipality may levy a fine of 50 euro cents per square metre, with the minimum amount of €200, and subsequently undertake the clearance of such areas on its own initiative, charging the responsible parties with the entire cost of clearance and removal of materials.”
This is the time of year at which the maximum overgrowth can been seen along country roads and highways, and not least on the VOAK, where on the stretch from Chania to Kolymbari the yellow broom bushes are in bloom, producing a riot of colour. Here, the danger is not just from fire but also from the lack of visibility, especially on bends. Since slow-moving traffic commonly uses the emergency lane to allow other vehicles to pass, vegetation blocking visibility and space in the emergency lane can constitute a serious hazard for motorists.
This situation having been allowed to continue for years, it is interesting to note that working parties are currently engaged in radically cutting back the vegetation on the section between the Platanias and Tavronitis interchanges and using bulldozers to create a clear gap between the bushes and the edge of the highway. While one may mourn the loss of the floral displays, the benefit to road safety is undeniable.