Extreme Wildfires Are Becoming More Frequent in Europe

Europe must not only react but also take stronger preventive measures and simultaneously learn to "live with the fires," demands the umbrella organization of the European Academies of Sciences EASAC in a new report with Austrian participation.

Half a million hectares of forest - almost twice the area of Luxembourg - fall victim to fires in the EU on average each year. According to experts, this is due to a complex mix of climate warming, monocultures, but also rural depopulation and other factors. In many regions, there will be a significant increase in multi-year droughts in the future, which will increase the likelihood of extreme fires. By the year 2100, the likelihood of these intense fires in Europe could double.

Fires Becoming Larger and More Intense

The number of fires and the extent of the affected areas are overall declining, partly due to improved firefighting capabilities, but individual fires are becoming larger and more intense, explained EASAC Environmental Director Thomas Elmqvist ahead of the report's release to journalists. In some areas of Southern Europe, severe events are likely to occur every two years.

A total of 23 European scientists were involved in the EASAC report, whose office is based in Vienna and which also includes the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW). From Austria, Mortimer Müller from the Institute of Silviculture at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (Boku) Vienna contributed to it.

The Mediterranean region remains the most affected, although other regions like Central Europe must also prepare, as the temperature in mountainous regions is rising rapidly, said Elmqvist. In Europe, there are also many urban areas that are at risk - more than in North America or Asia. This could lead to significant economic damage, the expert pointed out, referring to the fire inferno in Los Angeles in January, and also brings the insurance industry to rethink.

Wildfires: Stronger Focus on Prevention

Currently, the focus of EU wildfire policy is on firefighting and emergency measures, according to the association. Priority must now be given to prevention, such as better combating climate change and strengthening risk-based land management - for example, by investing more in resilient landscapes. Also necessary is a rewilding with a focus on restoring carbon-rich peatlands and the sustainable management of forests.

Many of the measures would also have positive effects on biodiversity and carbon storage, explained Elmqvist. However, Europe will also have to learn to live with wildfires and adapt society "to a new, challenging reality." This requires investments in education and communication to improve "fire competence."

(APA/Red)

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