Climate change amplifies global wildfire intensity and risk

Climate change is acting as a risk amplifier for forest fires rather than a direct cause of every ignition. While most fires in the Iberian Peninsula have human origins, rising global temperatures and prolonged droughts create conditions that allow fires to spread with greater intensity and difficulty to contain.

Scientific data from the European Union indicates that the area burned by wildfires has tripled over the last decade. This trend is linked to the emergence of sixth-generation megafires, fueled by continuous, unmanaged forest masses and extreme heatwaves. These phenomena have been observed across the Northern Hemisphere, affecting regions from Canada to the Mediterranean basin.

Experts highlight a structural failure in forest management, noting that current emergency response strategies are being overwhelmed. There is a significant deficit in investment for active prevention, such as silviculture and forest cleaning during winter months, as public budgets tend to favor summer emergency reaction over year-round preventative maintenance.