Wildfires During Early Summer in Greece (2024): Burn Severity and Land Use Dynamics Through Sentinel-2 Data

Wildfires are a recurrent and intensifying natural hazard in Mediterranean regions like Greece, driven by prolonged heatwaves, evolving climatic conditions, and human activities. This study leverages Sentinel-2 satellite imagery and Copernicus geospatial data to assess four early-season wildfire events during May and June 2024, which collectively affected 43.44 km2. Burn severity, land cover, and tree cover density were analyzed to evaluate the spatial and environmental impacts of these fires. Validation against Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) data yielded an overall accuracy of 95.79%, confirming the reliability of the methodology. The Achaia-Ilia wildfire, spanning 40.55 km2, exhibited the highest severity, with 26.93% classified as moderate to high severity. Smaller fires, such as Katsimidi (0.66 km2) and Stamata (1.41 km2), revealed the influence of vegetation type and density on fire dynamics, with Stamata’s sparse tree cover mitigating fire spread. The findings highlight the utility of remote sensing technologies for wildfire monitoring, and underscore the need for tailored management strategies, from vegetation control to urban planning, to enhance ecosystem resilience and mitigate wildfire risks in Mediterranean landscapes.