The severe wildfires sweeping southern Europe are a direct consequence of climate change, according to an Icelandic Meteorological Office expert, who says rising temperatures are also increasing the risk of vegetation fires in Iceland.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes as wildfires burn in France and Spain, with blazes approaching the outskirts of Bordeaux in France and areas near Madrid in Spain.
What’s the Story?
Original source: Vísir
- An Icelandic Meteorological Office expert says climate change is fuelling more frequent and severe wildfires.
- Longer, hotter summers are increasing vegetation fire risks in Iceland.
- Southern Europe is experiencing another summer of extreme heat and destructive wildfires.
Growing risk in Iceland
Guðrún Nína Petersen, head of weather model development at the Icelandic Meteorological Office, said Europe has endured multiple heatwaves and prolonged drought this summer, creating ideal conditions for major wildfires.
“These are simply climate change,” she said, explaining that increasingly frequent heatwaves and drought are not only drying vegetation but also altering forest composition, making some areas more susceptible to fire. She added that climate change is extending the annual wildfire season, contributing to a rapid increase in large vegetation fires.
Petersen said Iceland is not immune to these trends. As summers lengthen and the growing season expands, forests are becoming denser, requiring greater attention to land management and planting practices to minimise fire risk.
Addressing climate change remains the most important priority, she said.
“We cannot close our eyes to the fact that these are symptoms of climate change.”
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