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Innovative Action for Forest Fire Prevention in Kythira Island, Greece, through Mobilization and Cooperation of the Population: Methodology and Challenges

Author

Listed:
  • Gavriil Xanthopoulos

    (Hellenic Agricultural Organization “Demeter”, Institute of Mediterranean & Forest Ecosystems, Terma Alkmanos, 11528 Athens, Greece)

  • Miltiadis Athanasiou

    (Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature, Nikis 20, 10557 Athens, Greece)

  • Alexia Nikiforaki

    (Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature, Nikis 20, 10557 Athens, Greece)

  • Konstantinos Kaoukis

    (Hellenic Agricultural Organization “Demeter”, Institute of Mediterranean & Forest Ecosystems, Terma Alkmanos, 11528 Athens, Greece)

  • Georgios Mantakas

    (Hellenic Agricultural Organization “Demeter”, Institute of Mediterranean & Forest Ecosystems, Terma Alkmanos, 11528 Athens, Greece)

  • Panagiotis Xanthopoulos

    (Hellenic Agricultural Organization “Demeter”, Institute of Mediterranean & Forest Ecosystems, Terma Alkmanos, 11528 Athens, Greece)

  • Charalampos Papoutsakis

    (Hellenic Agricultural Organization “Demeter”, Institute of Mediterranean & Forest Ecosystems, Terma Alkmanos, 11528 Athens, Greece)

  • Aikaterini Christopoulou

    (Hellenic Agricultural Organization “Demeter”, Institute of Mediterranean & Forest Ecosystems, Terma Alkmanos, 11528 Athens, Greece)

  • Stavros Sofronas

    (Hellenic Agricultural Organization “Demeter”, Institute of Mediterranean & Forest Ecosystems, Terma Alkmanos, 11528 Athens, Greece)

  • Miltos Gletsos

    (Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature, Nikis 20, 10557 Athens, Greece)

  • Vassiliki Varela

    (Hellenic Agricultural Organization “Demeter”, Institute of Mediterranean & Forest Ecosystems, Terma Alkmanos, 11528 Athens, Greece)

Abstract

The island of Kythira in Greece suffered a major forest fire in 2017 that burned 8.91% of its total area and revealed many challenges regarding fire management. Following that, the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature joined forces with the Institute of Mediterranean and Forest Ecosystems in a project aiming to improve fire prevention there through mobilization and cooperation of the population. This paper describes the methodology and the results. The latter include an in-depth analysis of fire statistics for the island, development of a forest fuels map, and prevention planning for selected settlements based on fire modeling and on an assessment of the vulnerability of 610 structures, carried out with the contribution of groups of volunteers. Emphasis was placed on informing locals, including students, through talks and workshops, on how to prevent forest fires and prepare their homes and themselves for such an event, and on mobilizing them to carry out fuel management and forest rehabilitation work. In the final section of the paper, the challenges that the two partners faced and the project achievements and shortcomings are presented and discussed, leading to conclusions that can be useful for similar efforts in other places in Greece and elsewhere.

Suggested Citation

  • Gavriil Xanthopoulos & Miltiadis Athanasiou & Alexia Nikiforaki & Konstantinos Kaoukis & Georgios Mantakas & Panagiotis Xanthopoulos & Charalampos Papoutsakis & Aikaterini Christopoulou & Stavros Sofr, 2022. "Innovative Action for Forest Fire Prevention in Kythira Island, Greece, through Mobilization and Cooperation of the Population: Methodology and Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-26, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:2:p:594-:d:718787
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    Cited by:

    1. Torgrim Log & Anna Marie Gjedrem, 2022. "A Fire Revealing Coastal Norway’s Wildland–Urban Interface Challenges and Possible Low-Cost Sustainable Solutions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-24, March.

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