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Mediterranean countries such as Spain, Italy and Greece have been plagued by forest fires this summer, what has caused the fires to break out in a few weeks? Is all this related to the climate crisis?
The answers to these questions are not simple and require complex and subtle diagnoses. Joan Pinault, director of the Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications, said: "To understand why fires are on the rise, at least two factors must be considered: land use and management, and the impact of climate change. ”
The first scientific factor to consider, he explains, is that fire is a highly variable phenomenon. For example, the number of fires that occur depends on the amount of precipitation in the season, the biomass accumulated in the ecosystem, the weather conditions at that time, or the state of the forest. These factors depend in part on (uncontrollable) weather, while the other part is influenced by human activities.
This summer has been particularly hot, and with it comes the fire season in the Mediterranean region. Referring to the situation in Spain, Pino said: "Last year the rainy season extended and we entered the summer on very favorable terms. This year, on the contrary, there has been much less rainfall and although the weather is not very hot, the soil has become drier. ”
In a world mired in an unprecedented ecological crisis, the combined effects of these factors will become increasingly common, creating the perfect scenario where the slightest human error could also spark a fire. "As the climate crisis progresses, we will face higher temperatures, more heat waves, and ultimately more favorable conditions for fire outbreaks." The scientist said.
Recent research conducted by the Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications suggests that if global average temperatures rise by more than 2 degrees, the risk of fires can increase by as much as 64 percent. In addition, projections indicate that Mediterranean countries will enter the ranks of countries in the world most affected by this phenomenon. In Mediterranean countries, global warming is 20% faster than the rest of the planet. If this continues, extreme heat and drought could become a powder keg, ignited with increasing frequency and intensity.
An analysis conducted by meteorologists confirms that summer is the concentration of the most destructive fires in Spain. The report points out that summer is not only the month with the highest concentration of fires, but also the month with the largest area of fires. Pino said: "It is a mistake to blame everything on climate change. If we want to reduce the risk of fire, we must also consider forest management, rural population decline and land abandonment. In fact, the expert cautions that good forest management is essential to reduce the risk of fire.