New research points out that climate change will increase fire activity in Mediterranean Europe
Sunday, March 12, 2017 - 15:41
in Earth & Climate
In the forthcoming decades, risks of summer fire may increase in Mediterranean Europe. A recent study, researchers show that the direct effect of climate change in regulating fuel moisture (droughts leading to larger fires) is expected to be dominant, regarding the indirect effect of antecedent climate on fuel load and structure -that is, warmer/drier conditions that determine fuel availability. The researchers drew this conclusion after analyzing a set of empirical models linking the summer Burned Area to the climatic indicators. These models are also promising for developing a seasonal forecast system supporting fire management strategies.