Forest Fires

Forest fires are an integral part of forest dynamics in many ecosystems where they are an essential element of forest renewal. They help controlling insect and disease damage and eliminating litter accumulated on forest floors. At the same time, forest fires are an important disturbance agent in many forested landscapes. Fire regime and risk are the result of complex interrelationships among several factors, including climate and weather conditions, vegetation (e.g. fuel load and continuity), topography, land, forest and fire management, cultural and socio-economic context, amongst others. Although over 95% of fire ignitions are caused by humans (either accidently or intentionally), it is well documented that the major determinants of fire spread and intensity are weather and fuel accumulation. The risk posed by forest fires is typically influenced by a limited number of large events, which spread in days characterized by extreme weather conditions (e.g.: prolonged drought, high temperatures, low relative humidity, strong winds), overwhelm fire suppression capabilities, and account for more than half of the overall area burned. Climate change is expected to influence forest fire regimes and risk in Europe, and elsewhere. Indeed, there is evidence that, in a warmer climate, more severe fire weather conditions, expansion of the fire-prone areas, and longer fire seasons are likely to occur in Europe, even if relevant spatial variations are projected. Moreover, the impacts of forest fires are expected to be more significant in southern Europe countries and fire-prone ecosystems. However, forest fires can become problematic in other regions of Europe as well.