Fires of unprecedented intensity devastated large areas of Spain and Portugal this summer, claiming at least eight lives and displacing thousands. These wildfires were exacerbated by climate change, making such conditions 40 times more frequent and 30% more intense, according to a report by the World Weather Attribution. The sheer size of these fires has been described as astonishing by researchers, with hotter, drier, and more flammable conditions intensifying due to climate change, primarily fueled by the burning of fossil fuels.
The wildfires, which began at the end of July and lasted for weeks, scorched over 380,000 hectares in Spain and 260,000 hectares in Portugal, together accounting for two-thirds of the burned land in Europe, an area larger than Cyprus. Despite being a natural occurrence, wildfires have become more frequent and intense due to increased temperatures and drought.
Climate change made this summer’s heatwave in Spain 2 degrees Celsius hotter and 200 times more likely, according to the analysis of Spain’s hottest ten consecutive days on record, which preceded the fires. Scientists also found that in a world without climate change, heatwaves of this intensity would be expected less than once in 2,500 years, yet with current warming levels, they are more likely to occur every 13 years.
Spain made its first-ever request for international assistance to combat forest fires, with other European countries also seeking help. The report emphasizes the need to shift focus towards preventing fires through sustainable land management and increasing the resilience of forests. These methods include thinning trees, prescribed burning, grazing animals, and reducing flammable vegetation. The fires have also released 38 million tons of carbon dioxide, further contributing to the problem of CO2 emissions. Experts stress the urgency of reducing the use of fossil fuels to mitigate the devastating effects of climate change, warning that wildfires will become catastrophic without a faster transition.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/wildfires-in-spain-and-portugal-made-40-times-more-likely-by-climate-change/a-73866654?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
