Wildfires have burned over 175,000 hectares in Spain and nearly 3% of Portugal’s land in one week, overwhelming local fire services and leading to multinational reinforcements.
Record-Breaking Fires
According to Dr. Clair Barnes of Imperial College London’s Environmental Policy Centre, “The scale of these fires is staggering – more than 175,000 hectares have burned in Spain, more than twice as much as the yearly average for the entire wildfire season since 2006.”
Intensified Climate Conditions
Scientists have determined that the combination of rising temperatures, droughts, and strong winds that fueled these fires were 40 times more likely due to existing global warming. These “wildfire weather” conditions were also 30% more intense than would have been the case without climate change.
Impacts and Solutions
As fires rage, authorities must work together to adapt to climate changes. “Preventing casualties and damage requires cooperation across all levels of government. In the case of forest fires, there is an urgent need for vegetation control on rural areas, especially in abandoned agricultural areas,” said Prof. Friederike Otto of Imperial College.
