Europe must shift to preventative land management to combat wildfires

Europe must transition from reactive emergency responses to preventative land-management strategies to survive an increasing frequency of wildfires [1, 2].

This shift is critical because the traditional model of fighting fires after they start is no longer sufficient. As wildfires become more severe and frequent, the continent faces a systemic risk that requires a fundamental redesign of how land is managed and protected [1, 2].

Johan Sjöström, a senior research scientist at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, said the region is moving toward what may increasingly represent "the new normal" of wildfires across Europe [1, 2]. He said recent wildfires in northern France are an example of the changing threat landscape [1, 2].

Sjöström said the current approach relies too heavily on immediate crisis intervention. He said Europe must shift from a reactive model centered on emergency response toward a preventative strategy based on strategic landscape design, ecological planning, and long-term adaptation [1, 2].

Diversifying landscapes involves breaking up large, contiguous blocks of flammable vegetation that allow fires to spread rapidly. By integrating ecological planning into land-management, authorities can create natural buffers and more resilient environments that slow the progression of blazes [1, 2].

Such a strategy moves the focus from the fire itself to the land that fuels it. This approach requires a long-term commitment to land-use policies that prioritize ecological health over short-term convenience — a change that Sjöström said is necessary to mitigate future risks [1, 2].