Stakeholder perceptions of post-fire management in Greece

Abstract

Background: The views of key stakeholders involved in wildfire management can reveal existing challenges in post-fire management and help to develop effective action plans. The Mediterranean region is prone to large, uncontrollable fires due to changing climate conditions. As the need to address fire-related damage increases, Greece has a unique system of post-fire management with numerous experts and stakeholders expressing divergent views on the current situation and the need for systemic changes. We conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 22 participants involved in wildfire management at multiple levels spanning 10 affiliations, including government, academia, private business, non-governmental organizations, and activism. From these interviews, 376 statements were extracted, of which 44 were ultimately selected for a Q study. This method combines qualitative and quantitative techniques to examine subjectivity. The same interviewees were contacted a second time to complete the ranking process. Results: The study revealed six distinct discourses on existing policies and management strategies for post-fire restoration in Greece. We found that actors focus on and prioritize different aspects of post-fire management, indicating disagreement over a single common view. We labeled the factors as Statist, advocating government intervention in post-fire restoration; Abstainer, supporting non-interference; Beneficiary, emphasizing the need to support vulnerable groups; Pragmatist, promoting standardized practices to ensure restoration efficiency; Revolutionary, highlighting the necessity of self-organization and communities’ unity; and Contextualist, proposing locally applicable solutions. Conclusions: We conclude that there are many perspectives on how post-fire issues are currently managed, necessitating dialog to advance a more comprehensive, holistic post-fire management.