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

The summer of 2018 marked a critical inflection point for wildfire risk in Europe, with devastating events in Greece (Attica/Mati), Sweden, and even Germany (Fichtenwalde). This retrospective analysis examines the socio-ecological vulnerabilities underpinning these disasters, particularly the deadly "pyrotragedy" in Mati, where 88 lives were lost. The paper argues that the californisation of landscapes—defined as the intermix of highly inflammable vegetation (e.g., garrigues, maquis) with urban sprawl and housing—creates a "powder keg" scenario, exacerbating fire risk in Mediterranean and increasingly Central European regions. Drawing on decades of fieldwork (since 1992) and case studies (e.g., Pedrógão Grande 2017, Landes 1949), the author highlights how climate change, rural abandonment, and bush encroachment amplify fuel loads and fire behavior. The analysis critiques the inadequate adaptation of spatial planning and fire management systems, despite historical precedents like France’s post-1949 Défense de la Forêt Contre les Incendies (DFCI), and calls for urgent reforms to address the 30-minute threshold for fire control, evacuation planning, and public awareness. ... mehrThe paper concludes that without systemic changes, similar tragedies are inevitable in fire-prone regions across Europe and beyond. It also remains one of the most-read articles on the paysages blog, as highlighted in the 2026 annual reflection (Paysages – dix-septième année d’existence sur la toile). This historical event underscores the need to revisit such cases as critical references for understanding and preparing for future wildfire risks in non-Mediterranean Europe.