Wildfires in Spain: A scorching reality fueled by Climate Change
Let’s talk about wildfires in Spain!
Spain is well known for its Mediterranean climate, characterized by high temperatures and low precipitation, particularly during summer. These features attract many tourists every year that choose Spain as holiday destination to enjoy its sunny beaches, vibrant cultural experiences and outdoor activities. Unfortunately, this climate is not only perfect for tourism but also fosters conditions that can lead to the outbreak of wildfires. And guess what? The increasing heatwaves and prolonged dry spells, caused by climate change, aggravate the work of the firefighters who need more resources to extinguish the fires.
Spain’s Fiery Stats: Where do we stand?
In 2023, the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) ) estimated that around 91,000 ha of forest area were burnt. That’s like burning through the size of nearly 130,000 soccer fields! By using EFFIS data, it was possible to compare the surface of burnt area in several EU countries. The outcomes of this comparison are that, in 2023, Spain was the third country with most burnt area just after Greece (174,773 ha) and Italy (97984 ha). It is relevant to notice that Greece, Italy and Spain present similar climatic conditions, characterized by high temperatures and low precipitation.
And here’s the kicker: in 2024, the flames have already gobbled up 37,000 hectares, putting Spain ahead of other Mediterranean countries. The recent Andújar wildfire in Jaén (Andalusia) alone scorched 835 ha of area that usually hosts an extensive variety of flora and fauna.
Hot zones: Where wildfires hit the hardest in Spain
Not all of Spain is equally flammable, but some regions are definitely more fire-prone. Andalusia frequently experiences wildfires, particularly in areas with dense forests and shrubland. Remember the Sierra Bermeja fire in 2021? It was one of the worst wildfires in years. Cataluña, especially near the Pyrenees, also faces frequent wildfires, like the intense blazes during the scorching summer of 2022. And let’s not forget Galicia in the northwest, where wildfires regularly sweep through rural and forested areas.
What’s fuelling the flames?
Humans, of course! Whether it’s a careless camper, an arsonist, or a farmer burning fields, we’re often the ones lighting the match. But climate change effects are also major catalysts for wildfires. Rising temperatures, causing increased heat and dryness that make the vegetation more susceptible to ignition by reducing their moisture. Shifting precipitation patterns, which mean more drought frequency, making vegetation more prone to catch fire.
And don’t forget extreme weather events such as wild storms, that can produce lightings and thereby increasing the likelihood of natural ignition, while strong winds fan the flames, compromising the control of the fires, and making them spread.
The aftermath: What’s at stake?
When wildfires rage, the damage is not just environmental, it is economic and social, too. Forests and natural habitats are destroyed with the related loss of biodiversity, soil degradation, and increased carbon emissions is a direct consequence of wildfires on the environment. Economically, the destruction of homes, infrastructure, and agricultural lands hits communities hard. Tourism, a lifeline for many regions, can also be severely affected. And let’s not overlook the health risks. Wildfire smoke can affect vulnerable populations like the elderly and those with respiratory conditions, leading to respiratory illnesses and other health issues after a prolonged exposure.
Fighting fire with strategy and innovation
Battling wildfires is not just about putting out flames; it is about being smart before they even start. That means investing in research to understand fire behavior and the impacts of climate change, developing new firefighting technologies, and educating the civilians to increase public awareness on this matter.
The Spanish government is also stepping up with strategies and solutions to mitigate the risks of wildfires and adapt to the challenges posed by a changing climate that can worsen these risks like better land management practices (e.g. clearing vegetation and creation of firebreaks), reforestation with fire-resistant species, and enhancement of early warning systems. Moreover, the implementation of a well-organized firefighting system including brigades, aerial units and military units is essential to quickly control wildfires. Additionally, the European Union supports Spain through the European Civil Protection Pool, providing further resources to fight extensive wildfire.
CARTIF’s contributions to address fire risks in Spanish regions
RethinkAction, project led by CARTIF comprises the Almería province in Andalusia as one of its case studies. The project collects information on the area (e.g. historical and future values of climate variables), assesses the potential climate-related risks and creates risk maps. These maps provide useful insights on the risk of drought, heatwaves and storm in each municipality of the province and each vulnerable sector that can be exposed to these risks such as agriculture, tourism, water management and biodiversity.
Furthermore, CARTIF participates to the NEVERMORE project. This project includes the Region Murcia as case study. A climate-related risk assessment is performed also for this region and a map highlighting the most affected municipalities is produced. Such as the RethinkAction project, the NEVERMORE project provides relevant information not only on the most affected municipalities but also on the most vulnerable sectors involved. Knowing the municipalities with high probability to be affected by climate change is incredibly relevant for the prevention of fires, to identifying the missing resources that are necessary to contain possible outbreaks.
