Flames do not only consume trees; within a matter of hours, they can reduce to ashes the peace, memories, and homes that hundreds of thousands of people have cherished for years. Today, the thick black smoke rising from Spain and France is not merely a sign of local forest fires-it is a clear indication that nature's balance is being disrupted and that the global climate crisis is knocking at our door. The fact that 250,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes demonstrates that this disaster is no longer just an environmental issue but has become a major humanitarian tragedy. How did Europe's largest forests turn into seas of flames? What natural processes and human actions lie behind this devastating catastrophe?
Regarding these recent events, Hasan Nabiyev, PhD in Geography and Associate Professor at the Institute of Geography of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, shared his views with Crossmedia.az:
"Forest fires occur as a result of both natural factors and human activities. Among the natural causes are prolonged periods of extremely high temperatures, the development of dry climatic conditions, and the ignition of dry undergrowth, which eventually spreads to the forest canopy. Strong prevailing winds can further accelerate the spread of fires, making them extremely difficult to contain. Natural causes also include lightning strikes and dry thunderstorms.
Unfortunately, the majority of forest fires are caused by human negligence. After recreational activities, people often fail to follow basic fire safety regulations. Campfires are not fully extinguished, while lit cigarette butts or burning matches are carelessly thrown onto dry vegetation, leading to forest fires. In addition, broken glass left in forests can act as a magnifying lens, concentrating sunlight and potentially igniting dry vegetation. Burning dry plant residues in agricultural fields can also create conditions favorable for the spread of fire.
Forests may also ignite spontaneously under certain conditions. This is particularly common in areas with peat bogs, which can easily catch fire during periods of extreme heat. Similar incidents occurred in Russia several decades ago. Pine forests with a high resin content are also prone to spontaneous ignition during very hot summer months. Such fires are extremely difficult to extinguish and require the use of every available firefighting resource."
He noted that the primary cause of the wildfires in Spain is the intense summer heat:
"Continuously rising temperatures and the persistence of anticyclonic weather conditions create an environment highly conducive to wildfires. These regions are predominantly covered by Mediterranean broadleaf forests and shrublands, which become highly flammable during prolonged periods of hot weather. The devastating forest fires that occurred in Türkiye several years ago were of the same nature. During those fires, neighboring countries provided extensive assistance to Türkiye. Azerbaijan, in particular, stood firmly by Türkiye and offered significant support throughout the firefighting efforts.
Forests cover approximately 11% of Azerbaijan's territory, and protecting them is the responsibility of every citizen. Human activity remains a crucial factor in preventing forest fires. Therefore, everyone must strictly observe fire safety regulations to reduce the risk of such disasters."
