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In this paper, we present an analysis of the 865 fatalities caused by wildfires in the 1945\u20132016 period. Data originating from national databases were merged, contextual and weather factors related to the accidents that caused these deaths were documented and analysed to explore probable relationships with the number and type of fatalities. Results show a major rise of fatalities in late 1970s in the four regions of Greece, Sardinia (Italy), Spain and Portugal. Fatalities present a strong seasonality in summer months, as expected. Overall, Spain has the highest absolute numbers of fatalities; however, normalisations by population, and burned and forest area show that annual number of fatalities is comparatively smaller. Certain other factors showed correlation with mortality. Civilians were the most affected group in Greece (65%) and Sardinia (58%), but not in Spain and Portugal. Findings indicate that an in-depth revision of fire-management policies and practices is required, with emphasis on prevention planning in urban areas, and better training of the firefighting resources.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1071\/wf18004","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2019,1,22]],"date-time":"2019-01-22T19:14:25Z","timestamp":1548184465000},"page":"85-98","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":166,"title":["Analysis of forest fire fatalities in Southern Europe: Spain, Portugal, Greece and Sardinia (Italy)"],"prefix":"10.1071","volume":"28","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4522-1846","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Domingo M.","family":"Molina-Terr\u00e9n","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"ADepartment of Crops and Forest Sciences, University of Lleida, Avenida Rovira Roure 191, E-25198 Lleida, Spain."},{"name":"JCorresponding author. Email: dmolinat@gmail.com"}]},{"given":"Gavriil","family":"Xanthopoulos","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"BInstitute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation \u2018Demeter\u2019, TermaAlkmanos, GR-11528 Athens, Greece."}]},{"given":"Michalis","family":"Diakakis","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"CFaculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-15784 Panepistimioupoli Zografou, Greece."}]},{"given":"Luis","family":"Ribeiro","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"DAssociation for the Development of Industrial Aerodynamics (ADAI), Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Coimbra, Polo II, Pinhal de Marrocos, PT-3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal."}]},{"given":"David","family":"Caballero","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"EMeteoGrid, Forest Fire Department, Gran V\u00eda 22 dup, E-28013 Madrid, Spain."}]},{"given":"Giuseppe M.","family":"Delogu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"FIndependent Consultant, Via Ingurtosu 8, 09121Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy."}]},{"given":"Domingos X.","family":"Viegas","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"DAssociation for the Development of Industrial Aerodynamics (ADAI), Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Coimbra, Polo II, Pinhal de Marrocos, PT-3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal."}]},{"given":"Carlos A.","family":"Silva","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"GDepartment of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, MD 20740, USA."},{"name":"HNASA Goddard Space Flight Center, 8800 Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA."}]},{"given":"Adri\u00e1n","family":"Cardil","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"ADepartment of Crops and Forest Sciences, University of Lleida, Avenida Rovira Roure 191, E-25198 Lleida, Spain."},{"name":"ITecnosylva, Parque Tecnol\u00f3gico de Le\u00f3n, E-24009, Le\u00f3n, Spain."},{"name":"JCorresponding author. 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