Wildfires are considered as one of the main environmental hazards worldwide. The impacts of climate change are becoming more evident each year. Wildfires are more frequent and extreme affecting human health, safety, and the eco-environment. The ability of understanding wildfire dynamics is important for managing the effects of wildfires on infrastructures, natural environments and human health. Geospatial technologies (remote sensing and GIS) provide a means to study wildfires at multiple temporal and spatial scales using an efficient and quantitative method. This article presents an overview of the health impacts of the wildfires and the applications of remote sensing and GIS techniques in assessing and management of them.

Georgios Zagalikis has completed his first degree as a forester from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece and his PHD at the age of 33 years from Aberdeen University, UK. He was working as part time lecture at the Department of Agriculture of the University of Ioannina, Greece, as part time forester at Greek Forest service and as environmental forestry consultant. His research interests include the use of Geospatial technologies in forest management, environmental hazards and forest inventories.