Forest fires that have raged across Europe in recent weeks, especially in the west of the continent hit by heat waves, have already affected more areas than in all of 2021, according to the European Specialized Monitoring Service. In the 27 countries of the European Union, fires have burned a total of 517,881 hectares since the beginning of the year (figures as of July 16), that is, just over 5,000 km2, equivalent to the area of the French department of Mayenne or the islands. Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean.
40 thousand hectares have been burned in France since January
In the whole of 2021, which was marked by many fires in Italy and Greece, 470,359 hectares (4,700 km2) burned in EU countries, according to data collected by the European Fire Information System (EFFIS). If the trend continues, 2022 could thus equal or exceed 2017, the worst year recorded in the EU since the establishment of EFFIS in 2000, where 988,087 hectares of vegetation became tobacco, i.e. around 10,000 km.2: or the territory of a country like Lebanon.
“The situation is even worse than expected, although we expected temperature anomalies due to the long-term (weather) forecast.“EFFIS coordinator Jesus San Miguel explains to AFP, who emphasizes that “the heat wave is decisive (in the situation) and clearly related to global warming“. Almost 40,000 hectares have burned in France since the start of the year, compared to 30,000 in all of 2021, more than 190,000 hectares in Spain, compared to almost 85,000 in 2021, and more than 46,000 hectares in Portugal, compared to 5. in 2021.
Even countries unaccustomed to bushfires, such as the UK, where temperatures topped 40°C for the first time this week, are seeing affected areas recede; Just over 20,000 hectares have burned there since the start of the year, with just over 6,000 in 2021, according to EFFIS. “We knew it was going to be a brutal summer and we expect it to continue, we’re not even halfway through the fire season“, Jesus San Miguel emphasizes. “Previously the season was concentrated from July to September, now we have longer seasons and very intense fires“.
Source: Le Figaro
