Five years have passed since the deadly fire in Mati, and researchers from all over the world are still examining the area under a microscope because of the unspeakable tragedy it caused. In this regard, a few days ago a group of Italian foresters (DREAm Italia) visited Mati to exchange experience in the field of fires with the Greek pyrometeorological group Flame of meteo/National Observatory of Athens.

In particular, nine Italian foresters wanted to get as complete a picture as possible of the conditions that led to the disaster. The purpose of the meeting was, among other things, to learn lessons in order to avoid similar incidents in the future.

Among the topics covered were: How useful is the risk map produced every summer in our country, and how can it be improved? Do we have the technical means of fighting fire clouds and what are the objective limits of extinguishing fires? Was Mati a megafire and what does this winter show for the situation that will develop next summer?

Two members of the Flame team, meteorologist Dr. Giorgos Papavasileu and pyrometeorologist Dr. Thodoris M. Yannaros answered K’s questions about this meeting.

What impressed your colleagues?

There are two main elements. The first is the severity of fire and meteorological conditions during a fire and the resulting extreme behavior – extremely high thermal loads, extreme propagation speeds, etc.

Secondly, the intense blending of the natural environment with the urban fabric, coupled with the absence of any attempt to manage “forest fuel” (a pyrometeorological term describing vegetation that could potentially be destroyed by fire).

What really impressed them is that five years later, no landscape management effort seems to be in place. In fact, vegetation has already formed in the areas affected by the fire, which could potentially contribute to the spread of the new one. A particularly negative impression was made by the fact that even today there are still pens and fences that restrict mobility and the possibility of approaching safe places in case of fire. Colleagues characteristically asked us: “Why are there still fences that prevent free access to the sea?” but also: “Why do many areas remain apparently untreated, where fuel accumulates?”.

What new have you discovered?

Each new visit to the area creates a strong emotional charge, which intensifies when you realize that signs of an indescribable tragedy are still visible. What it leads to is the almost complete absence of integrated management of the territory. The drawing of escape routes is still missing. Even the area where dozens of people died hugging each other remains fenced off with a paddock and barbed wire.

What know-how can the Greeks get from the Italians?

The first axis along which our country must immediately move, copying the best practices not only of Italians, but also of other Europeans, is the drawing up of a comprehensive prevention plan. We are not doing this yet.

In our discussions with our Italian colleagues, we found Greece’s huge deficit in terms of forest fuel management. It is important to note that DREAm Italia (the team that visited Greece) is preparing fuel management plans for the target areas. These plans include a risk assessment of each area and very specific management proposals which are then implemented.

A typical example is the so-called clearing of the forest undergrowth (what is under the trees – grasses, bushes, smaller trees, etc.). This practice can reduce the chance that a ground fire (i.e., one that burns dead forest fuel in contact with the ground, or living vegetation growing above ground) will develop into a crown fire (i.e., occurs primarily in large forests and is the most dangerous, often showing very high rates of spread). In our country, such fires often occur in coastal pine forests.

One practice of clearing undergrowth, which is also used in Italy, Spain and Portugal, is the prescribed controlled burning of certain points in the forest. In Greece last year we applied for the first time the fire-fighting method (the entry of fire during a fire), in Dadia the controlled burning method in winter, before the start of the fire-fighting season, this is something we do not apply. However, it is very interesting that WWF, together with ELGO DIMITRA, is conducting such an experimental/research program of controlled burning on the island of Chios this year.

Equally important in Greece is the need for direct communication between research/scientific and commercial structures. In contrast to the simple publication of a risk map, which we have done so far, the leaders of DREAm Italia, in collaboration with research and operational authorities, carry out a specialized analysis of the expected risk conditions on a daily basis. These analyzes bring people of different specialties (foresters, meteorologists, etc.) to the same table.

In fact, the meteorologists in question are referred to as “field meteorologists”. Finally, another thing we can learn from the Italians and other Europeans is strategic analysis during large forest fires. Strategic analysis involves the creation of a specialized scientific team that will provide support in the field, together with those who manage at that time, that is, on the spot, the fire. This group will be tasked with reviewing all the evidence as well as studying the expected spread and behavior of the fire. I mention some of the key issues that this group is addressing on a live basis: Where can we place lines of defense? From where can we attack fire? What do we expect to change in the next few hours? Where does this require immediate attention?

What did the Italians “get” from us?

Our experience and know-how lies in the understanding of extreme wildfires and megafires, which is a unique feature. These are atmospheric fires that change the state of the atmosphere, with the fire creating its own weather and ultimately “governing” extreme behavior – fire clouds, tornadoes, chaotic spots, extreme thermal loads. The Flame team has very good knowledge and analytical tools for all of the above.

Was the Eye a megafire? Have we seen megafires in Greece?

The Eye was an extreme fire, but not a megafire. The megafire occurred in Evia, in Varibompi, as well as in Ilia and Messinia in the summer of 2021, as, of course, in 2007 in the Peloponnese. Megafires require an understanding of how the atmosphere and weather interact with fire. In this light, a significant integration of fire meteorology into forest fire management is needed, an integration that goes far beyond simple risk assessment. This experience, which the Flame team has, is unfortunately not available in other countries, and if it is, it is not used.

What data do we have in anticipation of the summer?

This winter until the beginning of February was characterized by particularly high temperatures in most of the territory of our country and a significant absence of precipitation and snowfall. Our team is monitoring fire and weather conditions as they develop and in the spring, taking into account the latest data, will make a first assessment of the average expected conditions for the following months.

What we can change immediately is the culture of wildfire management, to stop focusing primarily on fighting fires that are proven to have limits, and shift the focus to preventive measures. In practice, this means: better monitoring of forest fuels, fire and meteorological conditions, but also “close” observation of the processes that contribute to the emergence of extreme forest fires. We must now keep in mind that during the climate crisis there are fires that stop only when fire and meteorological conditions allow. No other way. So prevention throughout the year now plays a huge role.