Sky News Analysis: How Climate Change is Linked to Extreme Wildfires in Greece

The British Sky News published an analysis connecting climate change with large wildfires, such as the recent one in northeastern Attica. According to the report, scientists in Europe are struggling to understand why “extreme” wildfires, like the one in Attica, are becoming more frequent.

The article’s author, who covers climate issues, notes that conditions for some of these fires have become 3 to 20 times more likely, according to the first study of its kind. The author describes a “shockingly destructive wildfire season from March 2023 to February 2024,” citing a study in the scientific journal Nature. This study found that carbon dioxide emissions from fires during the 2023-2024 period were 16% above average, releasing 8.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The global emissions from these fires could have been the highest recorded since 2003 if it weren’t for a quieter fire season in Africa’s savannas.

What Defines an “Extreme” Wildfire?

The study first attempts to define what constitutes an “extreme” wildfire. Douglas Kelly from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) suggests that factors such as the burned area, intensity, or unusualness could be criteria. Joe McNorton from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) adds that the Attica fire could be considered extreme due to its proximity to populated areas and potential damage.

The study also notes that human-induced climate change tripled the likelihood of extreme wildfires in Greece and Canada in 2023-24 and made them 20 times more likely in the western Amazon.

How Does Climate Change Affect Extreme Wildfires?

Matthew Jones, a professor at East Anglia University, explains that climate change “clearly increases” the conditions for wildfires. Higher temperatures dry out forests, making fires more likely to spread. This can also increase dry vegetation, providing more “fuel” for the fire. Human activities like arson, landscape alteration, or fire management practices also influence wildfires.

How Do Wildfires Affect Climate Change?

Although the number of extreme wildfires is increasing, the overall area of burned land has decreased. However, scientists are particularly concerned about the rise in forest fires, as they release more carbon emissions, pose greater risks to humans, and take longer to control.

What Can Be Done?

Claire Barnes from Imperial College London, who was not involved in the study, hopes the report will help with wildfire preparedness and raise awareness that these fires will worsen until fossil fuels are replaced by renewable energy sources. Scientists agree that emissions must be reduced to avoid future risks, though it will take time to see the effects.

The report’s authors suggest that governments should consider protecting forest boundaries, helping to reduce “fuel” in forests, and investing more in early warning prediction systems.