In temperate Europe, fire is already here: The case of The Netherlands

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Ecology
• Risk Management

Background:

• Temperate Europe is not typically associated with landscape fires, leading to a lack of comprehensive wildfire statistics in many countries.
• Existing data, such as satellite-derived information from Copernicus' European Forest Fire Information System, significantly underestimates the true extent of wildfires in regions like The Netherlands.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce novel wildfire statistics for The Netherlands, covering the period 2017-2022.
• To summarize significant wildfire events, associated fatalities, and societal impacts.
• To advocate for a legal framework for continuous wildfire recordkeeping to inform integrated fire management and climate change adaptation.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of new wildfire statistics for The Netherlands (2017-2022).
• Comparison with existing satellite data (Copernicus' European Forest Fire Information System).
• Review of historical records for significant events and fatalities since 1833.

Main Results:

• The Netherlands experienced an average of 611 wildfires and 405 hectares burned annually between 2017-2022.
• Fires predominantly occurred in heathlands rather than forests, were generally small (mean 1.5 ha), human-caused, and occurred during spring and summer droughts.
• Annual costs for suppression, restoration, and traffic delays amounted to approximately 3 million Euros, with 31 fatalities reported since 1833.

Conclusions:

• Wildfires pose a significant and persistent risk in The Netherlands, impacting society and firefighter safety.
• Current data collection methods are insufficient, necessitating improved recordkeeping for effective fire management.
• Establishing a legal framework for wildfire data is crucial for baseline assessment, climate change adaptation, and international reporting.