The fires of Mount Hymettus near Athens Greece (1996-2017): history and fire behavior characteristics

Abstract

Mount Hymettus is a mountain lining the east side of Athens, the capital of Greece. Its proximity to the city, its flammable vegetation, and the variety of human activities (recreation, beekeeping, etc.) often result in problems with forest fires, which have reached a very high frequency in the last twenty years. These fires are of significant interest to firefighters, civil protection officers, foresters and the public because of their causes, their spread characteristics and associated safety risks, and their effects. In the present paper, a brief account of the forest fires on Mt Hymettus in the 1996-2017 period is presented. Emphasis is put on the observed fire behavior which can be of interest to modeling studies of topographic influence on fire spread, and, since two of these fires have led to fatalities, may be used as case study illustrating a combination of fire environment conditions that entails great risk to firefighters. It is concluded that special care is needed regarding fire prevention and firefighting regarding fire management on Mount Hymettus. Professional and volunteer firefighters need to receive training that highlights the increased risks that fires on this mountain present. Furthermore, as the number of visitors is very high, special attention must be devoted to them, regarding both fire prevention and risk avoidance.