A Sunday feature in Phileleftheros presents SIMMER’s approach to wildfire resilience, from prevention and land management to suppression, recovery and stronger Mediterranean communities.
The wildfire debate should not begin when the flames appear. Nor should it end when the fire is extinguished.
This is the central message of a feature on SIMMER in the Sunday edition of Phileleftheros on 6 September 2026. The article, titled “Prevention, Suppression, Restoration,” presents wildfire management as a continuous cycle.
SIMMER connects what happens before, during and after a wildfire.
Prevention goes far beyond firebreaks and emergency planning. It also requires us to look at how Mediterranean landscapes are changing. Rural abandonment and the decline of agriculture, forestry and grazing leave large areas increasingly unmanaged. This makes the relationship between people and the land a central part of wildfire prevention.
Suppression remains critical. Effective response, however, requires preparation, coordination and clear institutional responsibilities. It also depends on appropriate tools and on protecting the people who work in the field.
The same principle applies after the flames disappear. Restoration should do more than repair damage. It should reduce future vulnerability and help landscapes and communities become more resilient before the next wildfire.
SIMMER addresses another important challenge: the gap between scientific knowledge, operational practice and institutional frameworks across the Mediterranean.
The article carries a simple message: the best time to have a serious discussion about the next wildfire is when there is no fire to extinguish.
That discussion continues in Limassol on 17–18 September 2026. SIMMER will participate in Working on Safety 2026 and host four dedicated activities: an oral presentation, a workshop on occupational safety, the open SIMMER Info Day 2026, and the 7th SIMMER Stakeholder Workshop.
Read the full feature: Phileleftheros, Sunday 6 September 2026.
https://www.interregnextmed.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/SIMMER-PHILELEFTHEROS-6TH-SEPTEMBER-SUNDAY.pdf
Full-page feature published in the Sunday edition of Phileleftheros on 6 September 2026, presenting SIMMER’s integrated approach to wildfire management across the full cycle of prevention, suppression and post-fire restoration.
Last Update
09/09/2026
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