Climate change has increased the risk of wildfires in Taiwan, especially in the dry season from November to April, a study published in the international journal Climatic Change found.
The study was jointly submitted by teams from National Chung Hsing University and Utah State University, and was published last month.
The peak season for wildfires has moved forward due to rain patterns and rising temperatures, the study said.
Photo courtesy of National Chung Hsing University
While Taiwan has rarely experienced large-scale wildfires due to its large number of evergreens and its high humidity, recent fires highlight the urgency for the country to adopt preventive strategies amid a changing climate, it said.
Using the Fire Weather Index and multiple climate model simulations, the study assessed and predicted weather patterns from 2021 to 2100, and found that the risk of severe wildfires in Taiwan would increase noticeably.
Northern and central Taiwan were deemed to be at greater risk of wildfires, the study found.
“Incorporating advanced climate projections into wildfire risk management will enable Taiwan to develop more effective strategies to mitigate the impact of forest fires,” said study coauthor Simon Wang (王世宇), a professor of climate dynamics at Utah State University’s College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences.
It is good that the Ministry of Agriculture is developing relevant assessment systems, he said.
He also urged the drafting of legislation to promote fire prevention education and other measures to slow the pace of climate change and reduce the threat to Taiwan’s overall safety and diverse ecosystem.
“Our findings reveal a future where wildfire risks are significantly heightened, demanding a re-evaluation of our fire management strategies,” said study coauthor, Liu Wan-yu (柳婉郁), a professor at National Chung Hsing University’s Department of Forestry.
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