Reacción a "Extreme heat and wind keep numerous fires burning on the peninsula"

Much of Spain has a Mediterranean climate with very hot, dry summers, and fires are part of the natural dynamics of its ecosystems. However, climate change is increasing the frequency of heat waves and altering rainfall patterns so that, in very hot summers preceded by very rainy winters and/or springs (as is the case this year), the probability of large fires increases, given that the vegetation has grown a lot and then dried out a lot as well. On the other hand, the dense forest plantations that have been established in some areas of the peninsula make fires more extensive and severe by increasing the fuel load and its continuity. Human pressure, for its part, increases the probability of ignition (whether intentional or accidental), and this is also favoured in the summer season due to the increase in the movement of people and their concentration in natural areas.

Several factors acted synergistically in the fire in the Estrecho Natural Park area: an intense heatwave and strong winds after a rainy winter, which generated a large amount of fine fuel (dry grass), and heavy tourist pressure, which favoured ignition and hampered emergency response. In addition, this region has natural vegetation that is adapted to fire and highly flammable (Mediterranean heathland and scrubland), which favours the spread of fire. In some areas, this vegetation has been replaced by pine plantations, which further increase the fuel load and thus the severity of the fires.

Considering that there is little we can do to mitigate climate change in the medium term, it is important to improve preventive fuel management at the landscape scale to reduce the extent and severity of fires. The establishment of forest plantations should be avoided as far as possible, especially in urban-rural interface areas, where the population will be at greater risk. It is also necessary to adapt land use planning to the climate of the future, creating mosaic landscapes and avoiding the construction of houses in areas at high risk of fire.