6 - Firefighting approaches and extreme wildfires

Abstract

This chapter examines in brief the development history of wildfire suppression organizations around the world and how and why they are different. Specific elements regarding these differences, such as emphasis and capacity for indirect attack, degree of reliance on professionals versus volunteers, emphasis on ground versus aerial firefighting, etc. are examined. The importance of the type of organization responsible for fire suppression, being a land management agency versus urban fire service or civil protection, is discussed. A few examples of currently existing organizational and firefighting approaches in various European countries are used to illustrate the points analyzed earlier. Effectiveness and efficiency considerations further advance the understanding about the outcomes resulting from the previously discussed organizational choices. The final part of the chapter is devoted to the firefighting approaches regarding extreme wildfires, which is a central topic in the field of wildfire management globally.