Analytics and Trends over Time of Wildfires in Protected Areas in Greece and Other Mediterranean Countries

Wildfires are becoming more frequent and widespread, posing a threat to European ecosystems. Recent findings quantified a large fraction of Europe’s burnt areas within Natura 2000 protected area sites. This study analyzed total wildfire events and burnt areas in Greece. The frequency of protected area burn percentages per fire event and their trend over time were quantified. The mean protected area percentage of burn per fire event across other Mediterranean countries was compared. Results indicated an increase in the total number of wildfire events over time, while total burnt area was highest in recent years but generally varied. Forest-type vegetation burn exhibits no trend over time with the exception being that the transitional vegetation percentage of burn per wildfire is increasing, while agricultural land is decreasing. The protected area percentage of burn per wildfire is not related with total area burn. The majority of the high percentage protected area burns derive mainly from small or medium total area burn wildfires. More than a third of wildfires burned exclusively (100%) Natura protected area surfaces. Protected area percent per burn is increasing over time. This increase is not related to the increased total burnt area. Protected area percent per burn is considerably higher in Greece in comparison to Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Protected area percent per burn is increasing over time in Greece and with a slower slope in Portugal, while it has no monotonic trend in Italy and Spain. Reserves face increasing burn frequency, necessitating effective management strategies to conserve them. Climate change exacerbates total wildfires or surface area burned but cannot entirely explain the steep increase in protected area percent per burn. While a legislative framework preventing arson exists, management measures need to further improve the efficacy and clarity of legislation. High-power electricity networks and wind and solar energy facilities are often causes of wildfires and should receive low priority or not be licensed in Natura areas.