Fire weather in the EU has broken records for severity for this time of year, with conditions 43% more severe than the 20-year average, according to new data, as firefighters battle blazes across the Mediterranean.
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Key facts
- EU fire weather has broken records for severity for this time of year.
- Conditions from the start of the year until end of July were 43% more severe than the 20-year average.
- The data comes from the European Forest Fire Information Service (Effis).
- Firefighters are racing to extinguish blazes across the Mediterranean.
- The Guardian attributes the intensified hot, dry and windy weather to carbon pollution.
Fire weather across the European Union has broken records for severity for this time of year, according to new data reported by the Guardian, as firefighters race to extinguish blazes across the Mediterranean.
Figures from the European Forest Fire Information Service (Effis) show that the hot, dry and windy conditions across the EU from the start of the year until the end of July were 43% more severe than the average for the same period over the last two decades.
The Guardian reports that this fire weather has been inflamed by carbon pollution, driving the elevated hot, dry and windy conditions recorded across the bloc.
The intensified conditions come as crews work to contain fires burning across the Mediterranean region, where firefighters have been racing to bring the blazes under control.
The Effis data provides a measure of how the current season compares with recent history, placing this year’s severity well above the norm established over the previous 20 years.
Why it matters
Record-breaking fire weather signals heightened risk to communities, ecosystems and firefighting resources across southern Europe. Comparing this year against a 20-year baseline shows how conditions have shifted, underlining the growing challenge posed by hotter, drier and windier weather.
Frequently asked questions
How much more severe is EU fire weather this year?
According to Effis data reported by the Guardian, fire weather from the start of the year until the end of July was 43% more severe than the average for the same period over the last two decades.
Where are the fires burning?
The Guardian reports that firefighters are racing to extinguish blazes across the Mediterranean.
What is causing the intensified fire weather?
The Guardian attributes the hot, dry and windy conditions to carbon pollution.
Timeline
- Race to extinguish blazes across Europe as fire weather breaks records
The Guardian World: Figures show hot, dry, windy conditions in EU are 43% more severe than the average over last 20 years Fire weather in the EU has broken records for severity for this time of year, data shows, as firefighters race to extinguish blazes across the Mediterranean. Inflamed by carbon p
- Firefighters race to extinguish blazes across EU as fire weather breaks records
The Guardian World: European Forest Fire Information Service figures show conditions in EU 43% more severe than for same period in last 20 years Fire weather in the EU has broken records for severity for this time of year, new data shows, as firefighters race to extinguish blazes across the Mediterr