Episodes of extreme drought and heat waves this summer have made forested areas fertile ground for wildfires to spread.
LE FIGARO: To what extent does the forest contribute to the outbreak of fires?
Javier BARTET: The flammability of a forest is largely related to the dryness of its vegetation. The drier the plants, the faster they catch fire. Repeated heat waves and drought contribute to this. There is a second determining factor, which is the presence of an understory. This understory vegetation, consisting of ferns, grasses, but also shrubs, helps fires start, spread to the treetops, and then spread. Of course, weather conditions and especially strong winds are a very important factor.
How does vegetation respond after fire?
Fires don’t necessarily destroy forests…
Source: Le Figaro
