Simulation could mitigate wildfires

Future wildfires could be dealt with more effectively through developments in advanced simulation and modelling technology, claims Dr Vassilios Vescoukis, an assistant professor at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA).

Speaking in the wake of the forest fires near Athens, Vescoukis said that increasingly complex systems which combine simulation and monitoring tools could help emergency services prevent future ecological disasters on the scale witnessed in the region earlier this week.

‘The best possible reaction on behalf of the authorities can be largely assisted by technology,’ he said. ‘Failing to react best - or even worse, reacting the way we did during the last few days - can unfortunately optimise the damages instead of the response effectiveness, which is the case here.’

In support of his views, Vescoukis has been working alongside researchers at NTUA to develop fire-prevention technology as part of a government-funded Firementor project. This has resulted in the development of a system currently being used by a local authority in Greece. However, the team are keen to implement the technology throughout the country.