Europe's wildfire spread puts Alpine forests on alert

Massive wildfires are burning across Europe this summer — from Greece and Spain to Belgium, Germany and Italy — forcing evacuations and causing deaths and major damage, according to France 24. The scale and reach of the blazes have pushed the question of preparedness to the forefront of the continental conversation.

Alexander Held, Senior Expert at the European Forest Institute, told France 24 that fires are spreading into unexpected areas, raising the question of whether Europe is facing a new normal. He emphasised the role of citizens in preventing and limiting fires, pointing to prevention as the first line of defence.

For Trentino-Alto Adige, the warning lands close to home. The region's alpine forests have historically been considered low-risk for the kind of megafires seen in the Mediterranean basin, but the changing climate is redrawing those assumptions.