Forest Fires in Portugal: Dynamics, Causes and Policies

Abstract

With a mean annual fire incidence of 3 % of its forest and wildland surface Portugal is the European country most affected by wildfire. Forest fires dynamics in Portugal in the last four decades are presented (the fire regime and the corresponding losses) as well as the corresponding socioeconomic, environmental and policy drivers. The 20th century and on-going changes in land use (afforestation and rural abandonment) and climate are described. The policy options, strategies and plans established and implemented after the extreme forest fire seasons of 2003–2005 are discussed. Fire suppression is currently prioritized over fire prevention. However, the fire problem is rooted in the socioeconomic factors behind fire occurrence (namely land use conflicts) and in the prevalence of unmanaged and flammable vegetation types. Forest and land management and civil protection have different objectives and both need to be tackled for effective mitigation of wildfire impacts. Managing vegetation to induce higher fire-resilience and changing human behaviour are needed and must be fully encouraged and supported. It follows that the current relative allocation of resources should shift from fire suppression to fire prevention under an integrated fire management philosophy. Mitigation of the wildfire problem depends on institutional stability and persistence in following a coherent fire management policy.