The fires are a pressing problem every summer, but in the midst of the heat wave that shakes peninsular Spain, the problems derived from fire grow Without giving us breath. One of the areas most affected by fires is the northwest quadrant of the peninsula. Something that we can verify in a series of maps that show us the present and future risk of fire.
Fire risk, from satellites. The Risk Management Service of Copernicus, the land observation system of the European Union, shows us on a map the Areas with greater risk of forest fires In the continent. The map shows the FWI fire meteorological risk index (Fire Weather Index), distinguishing areas with low, moderate, high, very high and very extreme risk.
The map allows us to visualize the risk we face: a good part of the Northern Plateau, in addition to areas of the Cantabrian, Pyrenees, Galicia and other areas present in index greater than 2.5, which implies very extreme risk.
Southern Europe, and beyond. The map covers not only peninsular and Balearic Islands, but also the rest of Europe and surrounding areas. In fact we can see in it that the very extreme risk situation extends not only to northern Portugal, also to most of the center and south of France. Other areas in this situation can be found in the Balkans, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Austria and Hungary. Important anomalies are also indicated in Nordic countries, such as Sweden, Norway and Finland.
A problem that will go worse. The Copernicus map covers this week together, from day 11 to 17. However we can resort to other maps that allow us to see the evolution of risk during the next few days, Fire risk maps of the State Meteorology Agency (Aemet).
What these maps show us is not an invitation to optimism.
Aemet fire risk forecast evolution on August 14, 15 and 16. State Meteorology Agency.
The stain extends. The extreme risk today focuses on Andalusia, Extremadura, the west of Castilla y León, and the Pyrenees, as well as areas located in Galicia, Basque Country, Murcia and other communities. However, tomorrow this area under extreme risk will expand both in the peninsular northwest and in Extremadura, the Basque Country and Murcia.
On Friday and Saturday the “red spot” will continue to grow. On Saturday, only specific areas on the coast and in mountainous areas will be fought from the very high or extreme risk.
The devastation of a fire. In addition to risk maps, Copernicus also allows us to visualize the ravages that active fires have already caused. Example of this It is the fire of El Arenal, in Ávila, which has already affected almost 1,800 hectares of surface.
In Xataka | In the middle of the fire, there is something that Spanish firefighters are very aware: the 30-30 rule
Image | Copernicus / Aemet
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