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european paradigm
As a consequence, the continuity of forest and other woodland, together with the immense accumulation of forest fuels, has led to the appearance of large wildfires with crowning and massive spotting activity. Other aspects contributing to a landscape evolution favouring a scenario with more large wildfires that are showing extreme fire behaviour, are:
· the decrease or abandonment of agro-forestry and silvo-pastoral landuse practices due to a rural exodus, leading to the conversion of pasture and farmland into forest areas.
· fire suppression policies have led to a reduction of low- and medium-intensity fires in the landscape to the point of
· the dominance of high-intensity wildfires is considered a major factor in homogenising the landscape and
virtual disappearance, allowing fuel to accumulate: this is known as the suppression policy paradox(9, 23).
present vegetation structure. · the socio-economic and political context of the forest sector resulting in a general decrease in active forest management, see figures 2 and 3. By linking these two factors (weather and fuel), we can conclude that large wildfires are generated in situations where a major part of the fuel is available and under adverse weather conditions.
Figure 2 (left) and Figure 3 (right). Comparison between two photos of the same area (1908-2001) where fuel accumulation can be seen as a result of the abandonment of agroforestry activity. Masia Can Tardà (Castellolí, Catalonia). Source: Bombers de la Generalitat de Catalunya.