Forest fires linked to high temperatures two years before
Friday, October 19, 2012 - 09:30
in Earth & Climate
Researchers analyzed the impact of interannual and seasonal climate variability on the fires occurred in Catalonia, Spain, last summer. The study concludes that summer fires, related to summer climate conditions, are correlated with antecedent climate conditions, especially winter and spring ones with a lag time of two years. The results suggest that precipitation and temperature conditions regulate fuel flammability and fuel structure. According to the correlations observed, the study provides a model to produce long-term predictions.