As Europe grapples with the devastating impact of wildfires, a growing question on everyone’s mind is whether we can learn to live with fires. With climate change fueling the infernos and urbanization contributing to the flames, experts are urging a new approach to fire management and prevention.
Can We Learn to Live with Wildfires?
Wildfires have become more frequent and severe in Europe, and their impact is expected to worsen due to climate change. The question on everyone’s mind is whether we can learn to live with fires.
Wildfires are uncontrolled fires that occur in wildland areas, often caused by lightning, human activity, or climate change.
According to the National Interagency Coordination Center, there were over 58,000 wildfires in the United States alone in 2020.
These fires can be devastating, burning millions of acres and causing billions of dollars in damage.
The 2019-2020 Australian bushfires, for example, burned over 10 million hectares of land and killed hundreds of people and animals.
The Reality of European Wildfires
In a single week in the fall of 2024, wildfires burnt down over 100,000 hectares of land in Portugal, an area roughly the size of Hong Kong. Plumes of smoke were visible from space, and it was one of the largest wildfires in Europe that year, killing at least seven people.
The Science Behind Wildfires
Many parts of Europe are facing a large increase in multi-year droughts, leading to an increased probability of extreme fires. According to Thomas Elmqvist, Environment Director of the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC), some areas are likely to experience severe events every two years. Climate change is also fueling wildfires, with increasing droughts and less rain expected to double the fire risk by 2100.
The Role of Urbanization
Increasing urbanization is another culprit for the flames. Abandoned farmland and unmanaged vegetation growth have created vast landscapes of flammable biomass, while extensive monocultures, particularly of conifers, pines, and eucalyptus trees, ignite fast.
A Shift in Fire Management
Having monitored wildfires over the course of two years, Elmqvist concluded that the number of fires and total area burned have actually decreased in Europe, ‘because we have more capacity to fight them.’ However, the fires will become larger and more severe. Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece are most affected.
Lessons from Mediterranean Countries
Mediterranean countries are better prepared for fires compared to other European countries. Claudia Berchtold from the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft notes that a comparatively small fire in Germany or the Netherlands would meet a system that is not as well prepared.
The Importance of Prevention
Preventing fires is just as important as fighting them. Ecologist Pierre Ibisch highlights the risk of urbanization being built into pine plantations without considering what happens when big fires come.
Solutions for a Safer Future
Problems like these could be avoided when landscape planners, foresters, and farmers join forces. EASAC scientists call for more awareness and a public debate about the changing nature of fires. They also advocate for policies such as the EU’s Nature Restoration law, which aims to manage forests sustainably and restore carbon-rich peatlands.
Harnessing Controlled Burns
Low-intensity fires can actually be part of a natural cycle and spur fresh regrowth. Solutions like mapping forests digitally and using AI to evaluate drone images of wildfires could also help in monitoring how quickly inflammable vegetation grows back after grazing.
Digital mapping has revolutionized navigation and spatial awareness.
The first digital maps emerged in the 1960s, but it wasn't until the widespread adoption of GPS technology that digital mapping became mainstream.
Today, digital mapping services like Google Maps provide real-time traffic updates, street view imagery, and turn-by-turn directions.
These advancements have transformed industries such as logistics, urban planning, and emergency response.
The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires in Europe pose a significant challenge to the continent’s residents, policymakers, and landscape planners. By understanding the root causes of these disasters and working together to develop effective solutions, we can learn to live with fires and build a safer future for all.
Wildfires have become a growing concern due to climate change, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires are attributed to rising temperatures, droughts, and changing weather patterns.
According to the National Interagency Coordination Center, there were over 58,000 wildfires in the United States alone in 2020, burning over 10 million acres of land.
The economic impact is significant, with estimated losses ranging from $20 billion to $100 billion annually.
- dw.com | Can we learn to live with wildfires?
