Wildland Fire Governance: Perspectives from Greece

Abstract

Summer wildfires blazing across the landscapes of the northern Mediterranean invariably galvanize public attention and attract firefighting resources from the European Union and beyond. Institutions, including not only laws and policies, but also those who implement the policies, such as public firefighting groups, and local-to-national-scale departments and agencies, have a strong influence on environmental events such as wildfire occurrence and on society's role in managing the risk associated with such events. Indeed, wildfire serves as a useful metaphor for many environmental problems confronting society today. In this paper, we examine policies, rules, and practices that impede effective governance of wildfire threat in the fire-prone landscapes of Greece. We suggest ways how institutional impediments, such as funding levels and viable implementation options, might be improved. We stress the importance of understanding the roles played by social institutions, values, and practices.