Many of the recent extreme fire episodes and devastating fire seasons in Europe were driven by severe weather conditions, with record droughts and heatwaves occurring in the spring and summer of 20 for instance. For instance, Sweden experienced its worst fire seasons ever in 2018 and required international fire-fighting assistance. ![]() More countries suffered large forest fires in 2018 than ever recorded before, including in central and northern Europe, regions not typically affected by fires in the past. For example, the burnt area in 2017 was the second largest on record, due in particular to unprecedented fires in Portugal, whereas the burnt area in 2018 was the lowest on record.įor other European countries, data are available from 1992. However, there is large interannual variability, determined strongly by meteorological conditions. The burnt EUMED5 area has slightly decreased since 1980, with the exception of Portugal. Long time series, starting in 1980, are available for Mediterranean Europe - southern France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain (EUMED5). To monitor trends in forest fires, the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), managed by the Joint Research Centre (JRC), reports on the number of fires and the burnt area, with data on the latter being considered more robust and policy relevant. Climate change is expected to have a strong impact on forest fire risk in Europe, as recognised by the EU strategy on adaptation to climate change. Forest fires also threaten climate change mitigation, as they release large amounts of greenhouse gases, and they can cause economic damages and loss of human lives in populated areas.įire risk depends on many factors including climatic conditions. However, frequent and large-scale fires have negative impacts on air and water quality, biodiversity, soil and landscape aesthetics. Forest Service Research Paper NC-34 see Figure 1.Forest fires are essential for many ecosystems, for instance for forest renewal, to help control insect and disease damage, and to reduce build-up of fuel and thus future fire intensity. (1969), Climatic Conditions Preceding Historically Great Fires in the North Central Region (PDF), U.S.D.A. Two firefighting airplanes, a helicopter and ground units brought the fire under control by 9 p.m. A second major wildfire in Iosco County's Oscoda Township burned more than 100 acres of land in the area of River and Oates roads. "2,400-acre wildfire closes I-75, leads to evacuations near Grayling". "DNR: 85% of 3,000-acre wildfire trail caused by campfire in Northern Michigan is contained".
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