Emerald logo
Advanced search

Mega fires: can they be managed effectively?

Zissis Maditinos (University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece)
Christos Vassiliadis (University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece)

Disaster Prevention and Management

ISSN: 0965-3562

Publication date: 22 February 2011

Abstract

Purpose

–

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of mega fire catastrophic phenomena and bring out some useful aspects for more effective pre‐, during and post‐disaster management of mega fires.

Design/methodology/approach

–

The paper uses two very recent (2007) mega fire cases (Peloponnese – Greece and California – USA) to provide evidence of the magnitude of this kind of disaster and how their impacts can be mitigated if certain management practices are implemented.

Findings

–

Mega fires are major catastrophic events, with multiple impacts for the communities and areas in which they happen. They are very difficult to manage, mainly owing to their magnitude. However, their negative effects and impacts can be mitigated if pre‐, during, and post‐disaster activities and measures are planned and implemented.

Originality/value

–

This paper could be useful to practitioners and public service managers that are responsible for the development of fire management policies and management of mega fires situations.

Keywords

  • Disasters
  • Fire
  • Risk management
  • Greece
  • United States of America

Citation

Maditinos, Z. and Vassiliadis, C. (2011), "Mega fires: can they be managed effectively?", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 20 No. 1, pp. 41-52. https://doi.org/10.1108/09653561111111072

Download as .RIS

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Please note you might not have access to this content

You may be able to access this content by login via Shibboleth, Open Athens or with your Emerald account.
Login
To rent this content from Deepdyve, please click the button.
Rent from Deepdyve
If you would like to contact us about accessing this content, click the button and fill out the form.
Contact us
Emerald Publishing
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
© 2019 Emerald Publishing Limited

Services

  • Authors Opens in new window
  • Editors Opens in new window
  • Librarians Opens in new window
  • Researchers Opens in new window
  • Reviewers Opens in new window

About

  • About Emerald Opens in new window
  • Working for Emerald Opens in new window
  • Contact us Opens in new window
  • Publication Sitemap

Policies and information

  • Legal Opens in new window
  • Editorial policy Opens in new window & originality guidelines Opens in new window
  • Site policies
  • Modern Slavery Act Opens in new window

We’re listening — tell us what you think

  • Something didn’t work…

    Report bugs here

  • All feedback is valuable

    Please share your general feedback

  • Member of Emerald’s Library Advisory Network?

    You can start or join in a discussion here.
    If you’d like to know more about The Network, please email us

Join us on our journey

  • Platform update page

    Visit emeraldpublishing.com/platformupdate to discover the latest news and updates

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Your questions answered here