Reply on RC1

Abstract

In recent years fires of greater magnitude have been documented throughout northwest Europe, and with several climate projections indicating future increases in fire activity in this temperate area, it is imperative to identify the status of fire in this region. This study unravels important unknowns about the state of the fire regime in northwest Europe by characterizing one of the key aspects of fire behavior, the rate of spread (ROS). Using an innovative approach to cluster VIIRS hotspots into fire perimeter isochrones to derive ROS, we identify the effects of land cover and season on fire rate of spread of 254 landscape fires that occurred between 2012 and 2020. Results reveal no significant differences between land cover types and there is a clear peak of ROS and burned area in the months of April and May. During this late spring period, 67 % of the burned area occurs and median fire runs are approximately 0.16 km/hr during a 12 hour overpass. Heightened ROS and burned area values persist in the bordering months of March and June suggesting that may present the extent of the fire season in northwestern Europe. Accurate data on ROS among the represented land cover types as well as periods of peak activity are essential for determining periods of elevated fire risk, the effectiveness of available suppression techniques as well as appropriate mitigation strategies (land and fuel management).