A new weather phenomenon known as the 'firewave' threatens UK cities, characterized by simultaneous wildfires during heatwaves. Researchers at Imperial College London found that just 10 days of dry conditions can increase the likelihood of multiple fires beginning at once. The key predictive factor is the vapour pressure deficit, which dictates how quickly vegetation dries out and becomes flammable. Recent data indicates that as climate change intensifies, such extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common, heightening the risk of urban wildfires.
Scientists have warned that a new weather phenomenon dubbed the 'firewave' has the potential to devastate UK cities. The term firewave describes multiple wildfires simultaneously erupting in urban areas due to prolonged hot weather. According to Professor Guillermo Rein, just 10 days of extremely dry conditions can significantly increase the chances of multiple fires igniting at once. The key factor determining whether fires break out is vapour pressure deficit, which influences how much water the atmosphere extracts from the land.
The higher the vapour pressure deficit, the faster vegetation dries out, significantly increasing the risk of wildfires. Professor Rein emphasized that vegetation doesn't just become a bit more flammable; it becomes much more flammable as conditions worsen. These conditions are becoming more common due to climate change, which continues to warm the planet and increase the frequency of heatwaves.
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