Introducing the use of fire for wildfire prevention in Greece: pilot application of prescribed burning in Chios island

Abstract

This paper presents the first steps of a 2-year pilot project on prescribed burning (PB) in Greece. To re-introduce the use of fire in wildfire prevention in the country, as an accurate and effective management tool, more research is needed. Hence, we will conduct planned field PB experiments which will provide us sound knowledge about fire behaviour matched with the fire impact on soil properties, the effects on trees and the plant biodiversity. The experimental fires can serve as an excellent training tool, also, for some of the participants (firefighters, land managers and researchers). The first efforts to introduce and utilize the PB in Greece begun in the 1970s, when members of the Greek forest scientific community and the Hellenic Forest Service applied PB experimentally, analysed data and drew some preliminary conclusions. They made some steps to document the use of fire and study its impacts before introducing PB as a tool to prevent forest fires. Unfortunately, without constant funding, legal support, logistics, continuous scientific guidance and clear objectives, those sporadic attempts did not tie bonds with the forest and fire management community and the endeavour was soon abandoned. Almost half a century later, fire is still not used in fuel management and fire prevention and there is no institutional framework for the implementation of PB. Inspired by those first efforts in applying PB in Greece and guided by the fire science and the best practices for wildfire prevention, a core team of researchers and practitioners from WWF Greece, the Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems of ELGO 'DIMITRA', the Forest Directorate of Chios Island, and the Voluntary Action Team “OMIKRON” started in 2021 a pilot project on the implementation of the PB on the island of Chios. Fire Service of Chios Island and Municipality of Chios support the pilot project by supplying water trucks and personnel during the burns. The Project is sponsored by Procter and Gamble corporation. The project aims to introduce PB as a tool for forest fuel management, increase social– ecological resilience to wildfire and contribute to a climate – resilient future. More specifically, the project is expected: i. to develop the standards and procedures, through applied research, for the use of the prescribed fire in Greece, ii. to be a successful paradigm of fuel management, iii. to strengthen the role of the forest service in fuel management and build the capacity of local stakeholders on potential contribution, iv. to strengthen the horizontal cooperation among agencies, by introducing compatible methods and techniques, v. to build the capacity of the volunteer firefighters’ teams on issues related to the wildfire prevention and fuel management, vi. to increase knowledge and improve experience on the fire behaviour, vii. to further strengthen, improve and expand local alliances in Chios Island viii. to improve landscape resilience and prevent forest fires.

Topics & Concepts