What is it about?

The summer season, characterized by low precipitation over the Madeira Island (Portugal), is a critical fire weather period. A set of numerical simulations have been used to explore the atmospheric conditions during three periods of large fire events in the island.

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Why is it important?

The study highlights that local terrain produce orographic effects that enhance the fire danger over the southern slope during typical summer atmospheric conditions.

Perspectives

The study showed fire-prone areas over the island and weather patterns related to high daytime temperatures and sometimes overnight, low humidity, and strong wind gusts that favour fire growth. The absence of precipitation was another factor contributing for the propitious condition to fires over the island.

Dr Flavio T. Couto
Instituto de Ciências da Terra, Universidade de Évora

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This page is a summary of: Forest Fires in Madeira Island and the Fire Weather Created by Orographic Effects, Atmosphere, June 2021, MDPI AG,
DOI: 10.3390/atmos12070827.
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