Adverse effects and responsibility of environmental policy: the case of forest fires

It is generally known that forest fires are one of the main factors of environmental degradation. Although a great deal of scientific literature on this issue exists, little progress has been made to help us understand and explain the reasons for their appearance. In this work we highlight how forest fires could also be the result of the adverse effects of environmental policies related to the management of forest fire emergencies. With regard to the area of the Gargano National Park (Southern Italy) and with the use of a panel data technique, we attempt to observe the forest fire phenomenon as related to some of the socio-economic conditions existing there. We find a significant statistical relationship between the number of forest fires and the unemployment level in the area. This provides evidence to argue that when setting up environmental safeguarding policies it is important to take into consideration the socio-economic conditions existing in the area, if the probability of adverse effects is to be avoided and a more socially responsible legislative framework is to be established. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.