Europe is bracing for a shift in wildfire patterns that could see an area equivalent to the entire landmass of Cyprus incinerated every year, according to a report presented at the Cyprus Institute.
The “Changing Wildfires in Europe” report, authored by the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC), warns that the Mediterranean, and Cyprus in particular, has entered a high-risk era where traditional fire suppression methods are no longer sufficient.
Experts at the event revealed that while the total number of fires may be decreasing, they are being replaced by fewer, “extreme” infernos of unprecedented intensity that increasingly threaten urban fringes.
The findings highlight a critical disconnect between current EU policies, which focus heavily on emergency response, and the escalating reality of climate-driven disasters. Academician Costas N. Papanicolas issued a stark warning, noting that the ecological and social fallout from these annual losses will be “incalculable” without a radical shift toward prevention.
Dr Thomas Elmqvist, one of the report’s lead authors, noted that these “mega-fires” are now striking regions historically considered safe, fuelled by prolonged droughts and the accumulation of flammable biomass. To counter this, the report advocates for “nature-based solutions” and a total overhaul of land management to create “fire-resilient” landscapes.
Professor Stavros Malas, President of the Cyprus Institute, emphasised that “scientific diplomacy” and regional cooperation are now essential, as wildfires respect no national borders. He noted that the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East Climate Change Initiative (EMME-CCI) has already identified fire risk as a top priority, suggesting that the Republic’s role as a regional hub for climate research will be vital in deploying AI-driven early warning systems and satellite monitoring.
The report recommends eight specific policy options, including investing in education, harmonising agricultural and environmental policies, and promoting compact urban development to reduce vulnerability.
Specialist in natural disaster management, Professor Efthymios Lekkas, argued that Cyprus must move beyond the “destruction phase” of simply fighting flames. He called for a robust “post-disaster” framework focused on long-term adaptation to ensure that scorched communities can withstand future events.
The event also touched upon the strategic importance of the EU’s decision to establish a “Wildfire Hub” in Cyprus, which is expected to use EASAC’s scientific evidence to shape its operational programmes.
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