Is early evacuation the best and only strategy to protect and mitigate the effects of forest fires in WUI areas? A qualitative research on the residents’ response during the 2021 forest fires in NE Attica, Greece

Abstract

Greece, a South-East European country located in the Mediterranean basin, faces every year disastrous and occasionally fatal forest fires. During the 2021 fire season and after the 2018 Mati forest fire, the authorities warned people to evacuate early at almost every forest fire which threatened WUI areas throughout the country, irrespective of the fire's severity. Fortunately, during these events, no loss of human life occurred. However, residents and the municipalities' civil protection officials expressed strong opposition to this policy claiming that is not the most efficient for the protection of property. The qualitative research presented here aims to explore the residents' fire risk perception, assess critical issues regarding early evacuation and the extent to which alternatives could be utilized in Greece. The findings, confirm that while early evacuation is the safest option during a forest fire offers maximum safety to human life, it is not the only viable option. Early evacuation is not a one-size-fits-all solution since there will always be residents who decide to stay and protect, or are forced to stay due to the fire conditions. It is anticipated that the analysis presented here will be used to improve fire response outcomes.