Risk Anal. 2016 Dec 20. doi: 10.1111/risa.12739. [Epub ahead of print]
Lozano OM1,
Salis M2,
Ager AA3,
Arca B4,
Alcasena FJ5,
Monteiro AT6,
Finney MA3,
Del Giudice L1,
Scoccimarro E7,
Spano D1,2.
- 1University of Sassari, Department of Science for Nature and Environmental Resources (DIPNET), Sassari, Italy.
- 2Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC), IAFES Division, Sassari, Italy.
- 3USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory, Missoula, MT, USA.
- 4National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Biometeorology (IBIMET), Sassari, Italy.
- 5University of Lleida, School of Agricultural Engineering (ETSEA), Agriculture and Forest Engineering Department, Lleida, Spain.
- 6Predictive Ecology Group, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources - CIBIO/INBIO Associate Laboratory, Vairão, Portugal.
- 7Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Changes (CMCC), SERC Division, Bologna, Italy.
Abstract
We used simulation modeling to assess potential climate change impacts on wildfire exposure in Italy and Corsica (France).
Weather data were obtained from a regional climate model for the period
1981-2070 using the IPCC A1B emissions scenario. Wildfire simulations
were performed with the minimum travel time fire spread algorithm using
predicted fuel moisture, wind speed, and wind direction to simulate
expected changes in weather for three climatic periods (1981-2010,
2011-2040, and 2041-2070). Overall, the wildfire simulations showed very
slight changes in flame length, while other outputs such as burn
probability and fire size increased significantly in the second future
period (2041-2070), especially in the southern portion of the study
area. The projected changes fuel moisture could result in a lengthening
of the fire season for the entire study area. This work represents the
first application in Europe of a methodology based on high resolution
(250 m) landscape wildfire modeling to assess potential impacts of
climate changes on wildfire exposure at a national scale. The findings
can provide information and support in wildfire management planning and
fire risk mitigation activities.
© 2016 Society for Risk Analysis.
KEYWORDS:
Burn probability; MTT algorithm; Mediterranean areas; climate change; fire exposure