Pyrotragedies – a critical retrospective on the wildfire situation in Europe during July 2018

July 2018 saw catastrophic wildfires in Europe, causing widespread devastation and loss of life. This retrospective analyzes the key events, contributing factors, and responses to these disasters. The author, an expert in forest fires since 1992, attributes increased fire risks to climate change, rural abandonment, and "Californisation"—the intermixing of housing with inflammable forests. The tragic fire in Mati, Greece, exemplifies the dangers of living in such fire-prone areas. The article stresses the need for governments to learn from past "pyrotragedies" and highlights France's effective forest fire defense system, the DFCI. However, climate change is challenging its efficacy. The author argues that addressing forest fires requires societal changes and effective communication of risks to residents. Climate change is expected to exacerbate fire risks in Mediterranean and Central European regions.