Fires, EU working on risk management document

Brussels – The aim: to provide a practical tool for policy guidance on mitigating the risks posed by climate change. This is the reason behind the special handbook that the EU executive is developing for the states, as European Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall anticipates, responding to a question about the impact of fires on EU flora and fauna. 

“The Commission is preparing a comprehensive guidance document on climate change and Natura 2000”, the network of protected natural areas, explains Roswall. “This document will help Member States to implement forest fire risk management strategies in sensitive areas, with the aim of mitigating negative effects on protected species and habitats and promoting the adoption of ecosystem-based prevention techniques.” 

This initiative stems from two considerations. The first, the Commissioner explains, is that “the Commission recognises the significant impact that catastrophic forest fires have on biodiversity,” giventheir scale. Secondly, Roswall continues, “fires of large size and increasing intensity are increasing in frequency due to climate change and other factors such as land abandonment and the consequent accumulation of fuel.” There is a growing need to respond to these challenges. 

Roswall offers no indication as to when the document being worked on might be ready, but assures that work is ongoing and that the issue will be addressed.