For Mediterranean forests, fire did not always constitute a threat of degradation but rather used to be part of a natural regeneration process. However, given that every year about 500 square kilometers of important areas are destroyed and 96% of the causes of this devastation point to human activity, degradation threatens our valuable natural capital and, ultimately, our quality of life.

© A. Bonetti / WWF Greece

Unfortunately, current conditions regarding rural land use, second home development and road network extension have caused a dramatic increase in wildfire frequency, and, as a result, forest fires go far beyond their natural function, with catastrophic consequences. The devastating effect of forest fires is due, on one hand, to their increased frequency and intensity and, on the other, to the insufficient monitoring of burnt areas.