The role of weather and climate information services to support in wildfire management in Northwestern Europe

As climate change intensifies, temperatures rise and extreme weather events become more frequent, leading to increased droughts and elevated wildfire risks. This trend is especially pronounced in with an emerging wildfire risk under climate change, including Northwestern Europe. This study evaluates...

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Main Authors: H.A. Lambrechts, C.R. Stoof, M. del Pozo, F. Ludwig, S. Paparrizos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-01-01
Series:Climate Risk Management
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212096324000895
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author H.A. Lambrechts
C.R. Stoof
M. del Pozo
F. Ludwig
S. Paparrizos
author_facet H.A. Lambrechts
C.R. Stoof
M. del Pozo
F. Ludwig
S. Paparrizos
author_sort H.A. Lambrechts
collection DOAJ
description As climate change intensifies, temperatures rise and extreme weather events become more frequent, leading to increased droughts and elevated wildfire risks. This trend is especially pronounced in with an emerging wildfire risk under climate change, including Northwestern Europe. This study evaluates the use and needs of climate information services (CIS) for supporting Integrated Fire Management in these regions. Employing a qualitative approach, an online survey was distributed to professional stakeholders in Northwestern Europe, focusing on their awareness and perception of preparedness for wildfires, their use of CIS, and their future needs for fire management.Results indicate that while stakeholders are experiencing wildfires and although there is a high perception of preparedness for current wildfire conditions, their preparedness for future conditions is considerably lower. Most rely on short-term weather forecasts, yet there is a significant gap in the use and perceived need for long-term climate projections. Additionally, engagement with and awareness of the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) are limited. The findings underscore the critical need for more detailed and locally relevant CIS that are salient, credible, and legitimate to foster proactive and adaptive management strategies. Enhancing stakeholder engagement and co-producing tailored CIS can contribute to improving prevention, preparedness, and resilience against the escalating threat of wildfires in Northwestern Europe.
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spelling doaj-art-e90c6b67152d4dc0873a7c70123df0f62025-08-20T01:59:03ZengElsevierClimate Risk Management2212-09632024-01-014610067210.1016/j.crm.2024.100672The role of weather and climate information services to support in wildfire management in Northwestern EuropeH.A. Lambrechts0C.R. Stoof1M. del Pozo2F. Ludwig3S. Paparrizos4Earth Systems and Global Change Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708PB Wageningen, The Netherlands; Corresponding author.Soil Physics and Land Management Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University, PO Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The NetherlandsEarth Systems and Global Change Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708PB Wageningen, The NetherlandsEarth Systems and Global Change Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708PB Wageningen, The NetherlandsEarth Systems and Global Change Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708PB Wageningen, The NetherlandsAs climate change intensifies, temperatures rise and extreme weather events become more frequent, leading to increased droughts and elevated wildfire risks. This trend is especially pronounced in with an emerging wildfire risk under climate change, including Northwestern Europe. This study evaluates the use and needs of climate information services (CIS) for supporting Integrated Fire Management in these regions. Employing a qualitative approach, an online survey was distributed to professional stakeholders in Northwestern Europe, focusing on their awareness and perception of preparedness for wildfires, their use of CIS, and their future needs for fire management.Results indicate that while stakeholders are experiencing wildfires and although there is a high perception of preparedness for current wildfire conditions, their preparedness for future conditions is considerably lower. Most rely on short-term weather forecasts, yet there is a significant gap in the use and perceived need for long-term climate projections. Additionally, engagement with and awareness of the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) are limited. The findings underscore the critical need for more detailed and locally relevant CIS that are salient, credible, and legitimate to foster proactive and adaptive management strategies. Enhancing stakeholder engagement and co-producing tailored CIS can contribute to improving prevention, preparedness, and resilience against the escalating threat of wildfires in Northwestern Europe.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212096324000895Climate changeNorthwestern EuropeFire managementWildfire riskClimate information servicesClimate information
spellingShingle H.A. Lambrechts
C.R. Stoof
M. del Pozo
F. Ludwig
S. Paparrizos
The role of weather and climate information services to support in wildfire management in Northwestern Europe
Climate Risk Management
Climate change
Northwestern Europe
Fire management
Wildfire risk
Climate information services
Climate information
title The role of weather and climate information services to support in wildfire management in Northwestern Europe
title_full The role of weather and climate information services to support in wildfire management in Northwestern Europe
title_fullStr The role of weather and climate information services to support in wildfire management in Northwestern Europe
title_full_unstemmed The role of weather and climate information services to support in wildfire management in Northwestern Europe
title_short The role of weather and climate information services to support in wildfire management in Northwestern Europe
title_sort role of weather and climate information services to support in wildfire management in northwestern europe
topic Climate change
Northwestern Europe
Fire management
Wildfire risk
Climate information services
Climate information
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212096324000895
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