Current Wildland Fire Patterns and Challenges in Europe: A Synthesis of National Perspectives
Authors: Fernandez-Anez Nieves , Krasovskiy Andrey , Müller Mortimer , Vacik Harald , Baetens Jan , Hukić Emira , Kapovic Solomun Marijana , Atanassova Irena , Glushkova Maria , Bogunović Igor , Fajković Hana , Djuma Hakan , Boustras George , Adámek Martin , Devetter Miloslav , Hrabalikova Michaela , Huska Dalibor , Martínez Barroso Petra , Vaverková Magdalena Daria , Zumr David , Jõgiste Kalev , Metslaid Marek , Koster Kajar , Köster Egle , Pumpanen Jukka , Ribeiro-Kumara Caius , Di Prima Simone , Pastor Amandine , Rumpel Cornelia , Seeger Manuel , Daliakopoulos Ioannis , Daskalakou Evangelia , Koutroulis Aristeidis , Papadopoulou Maria P. , Stampoulidis Kosmas , Xanthopoulos Gavriil , Aszalós Réka , Balázs Deák , Kertész Miklós , Valkó Orsolya , Finger David C. , Thorsteinsson Throstur , Till Jessica , Bajocco Sofia , Gelsomino Antonio , Amodio Antonio Minervino , Novara Agata , Salvati Luca , Telesca Luciano , Ursino Nadia , Jansons Aris , Kitenberga Mara , Stivrins Normunds , Brazaitis Gediminas , Marozas Vitas , Cojocaru Olesea , Gumeniuc Iachim , Sfecla Victor , Imeson Anton , Veraverbeke Sander , Mikalsen Ragni Fjellgaard , Koda Eugeniusz , Osinski Piotr , Castro Ana C. Meira , Nunes João Pedro , Oom Duarte , Vieira Diana , Rusu Teodor , Bojović Srđan , Djordjevic Dragana , Popovic Zorica , Protic Milan , Sakan Sanja , Glasa Jan , Kacikova Danica , Lichner Lubomir , Majlingova Andrea , Vido Jaroslav , Ferk Mateja , Tičar Jure , Zorn Matija , Zupanc Vesna , Hinojosa M. Belén , Knicker Heike , Lucas-Borja Manuel Esteban , Pausas Juli , Prat-Guitart Nuria , Ubeda Xavier , Vilar Lara , Destouni Georgia , Ghajarnia Navid , Kalantari Zahra , Seifollahi-Aghmiuni Samaneh , Dindaroglu Turgay , Yakupoglu Tugrul , Smith Thomas , Doerr Stefan , Cerda Artemi 
Published: July 2021

Changes in climate, land use, and land management impact the occurrence and severity of wildland fires in many parts of the world. This is particularly evident in Europe, where ongoing changes in land use have strongly modified fire patterns over the last decades. Although satellite data by the European Forest Fire Information System provide large-scale wildland fire statistics across European countries, there is still a crucial need to collect and summarize in-depth local analysis and understanding of the wildland fire condition and associated challenges across Europe. This article aims to provide a general overview of the current wildland fire patterns and challenges as perceived by national representatives, supplemented by national fire statistics (2009–2018) across Europe. For each of the 31 countries included, we present a perspective authored by scientists or practitioners from each respective country, representing a wide range of disciplines and cultural backgrounds. The authors were selected from members of the COST Action “Fire and the Earth System: Science & Society” funded by the European Commission with the aim to share knowledge and improve communication about wildland fire. Where relevant, a brief overview of key studies, particular wildland fire challenges a country is facing, and an overview of notable recent fire events are also presented. Key perceived challenges included (1) the lack of consistent and detailed records for wildland fire events, within and across countries, (2) an increase in wildland fires that pose a risk to properties and human life due to high population densities and sprawl into forested regions, and (3) the view that, irrespective of changes in management, climate change is likely to increase the frequency and impact of wildland fires in the coming decades. Addressing challenge (1) will not only be valuable in advancing national and pan-European wildland fire management strategies, but also in evaluating perceptions (2) and (3) against more robust quantitative evidence.