Distribution of forest fires and area burned according tometeorological and topographic factors in Greece

摘要

The forest fires that occurred in Greece during the period 1980 – 1997 were classified according to the prevailing conditions of air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, elevation, aspect and slope. Thus, the critical weather and terrain conditions under which most fires occur in Greece were determined. Most fires (34.47%) occur when air temperature is between 26-30 0C, while under heat conditions (36-40 0C) occur only 4% of total fires which account for 11.22% of the total area burned. Almost half (50.1%) the fires occur under normal atmospheric humidity (41-70%), while 40% occur under dry conditions (relative humidity less than 40%). Although two-thirds (66.94%) of total fires occur under moderate windspeeds (1-4 BF), the fires (18.2%) that burn under strong winds (5-7 BF) are responsible for most of the burned area (43.16%). Almost 80% of total fires and area burned occur at elevations lower than 600 m in the Mediterranean vegetation zone, with prevailing slope 20-40% and southern and variable aspects. The results of this study can be useful for the development of a statistical fire danger index.