Cost of Europe’s wildfires 2023: How can govts future-proof against wildfire?

The wildfires that swept across Europe in 2023 were devastating, with the August wildfire in Greece being the largest ever recorded in the EU. These wildfires wreaked havoc, causing widespread destruction, posing health risks, and tragically, leading to fatalities in some of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations.

A recent report by Distrelec, which analyzed data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) and other sources, sheds light on the economic toll of these wildfires on the hardest-hit European countries in 2023.

This new study from the prominent distributor of technical components examines the extent of land loss, the economic repercussions, and the potential expenses of implementing preventative measures by governments to mitigate the spread of wildfires in 2024 and beyond.

Which countries in Europe were worst affected by wildfires in 2023? 

In 2023, wildfires left a significant mark on many European countries. According to research by Distrelec, Greece was the most severely affected, with the largest area of land burned and the highest estimated economic impact.

The summer wildfire in Greece’s northeast region was particularly devastating, being declared the worst the EU has ever witnessed. The EU’s civil protection service reported that the fire consumed more than 810 square kilometers, an area larger than New York City.

Distrelec’s analysis of data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) indicates that approximately 174,773 hectares of land were burned in Greece in 2023, resulting in estimated damage costs exceeding €1.8 billion.

Italy was the second hardest-hit, with about 97,382 hectares of land burned and estimated costs surpassing €1 billion. Spain followed, with 88,444 hectares burned and estimated costs nearing €913 million.

One severe consequence of wildfires is the emission of CO2 into our atmosphere, which exacerbates climate change. Human activities are believed to have increased the atmosphere’s carbon dioxide content by a staggering 50% over the past 200 years. Alarmingly, the majority of wildfires are human-caused, with estimates suggesting that only 10-15% occur naturally.

Considering the 23 European countries most affected by wildfires in 2023, Distrelec estimates that these wildfires resulted in a massive 8,112,400 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

10 worst affected countries below by hectares burned

Country	Hectares burned 2023	CO2 emitted as a result (tonnes)	Financial cost (euros)
Greece	174,773	3,058,528	€1,806,104,182
Italy	97,382	1,704,185	€1,006,345,588
Spain	88,444	1,547,770	€913,980,296
Portugal	36,498	638,715	€377,170,332
France	22,350	391,125	€230,964,900
Romania	16,563	289,853	€171,162,042
Bulgaria	15,478	270,865	€159,949,652
Ireland	4,302	75,285	€44,456,868
Croatia	2,768	48,440	€28,604,512
Cyprus	1,919	33,583	€19,830,946

What's the 2023 wildfire damage per country compared to historical averages?

The rise in global temperatures has undeniably led to significant changes in the frequency and intensity of wildfires worldwide. These wildfires are growing larger and more powerful, often inflicting severe damage on entire ecosystems.

Distrelec’s analysis of historical data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) reveals a stark increase in the area burned by wildfires across Europe in 2023 compared to the annual average since EFFIS began tracking in 2006. The findings are startling:

• Lithuania experienced the most significant increase, with a staggering 1758% rise in hectares burned since 2006.
• Estonia followed with a 663% increase.
• Austria also saw a substantial increase of 301%.

These figures underscore the escalating threat of wildfires and the urgent need for effective prevention and mitigation strategies.

Full estimate IoT costs for the 10 worst affected European countries

Country	Forest density (sq km)	Number of sensors required	Total estimated cost of sensors
Greece	39,018	2,601	€47,601.96
Italy	96,199	6,413	€117,363.27
Spain	185,765	12,384	€226,632.81
Portugal	33,120	2,208	€40,406.40
France	173,364	11,558	€211,504.08
Romania	69,291	4,619	€84,534.41
Bulgaria	39,060	2,604	€47,653.20
Ireland	7,860	524	€9,589.44
Croatia	19,416	1,294	€23,687.64
Cyprus	1,725	115	€2,104.62

Could IoT sensors be the solution? 

IoT sensors could indeed be a potential solution to the escalating wildfire problem. Early detection of wildfires, especially in forested regions, is crucial for effective containment and control. Several startups and companies are developing IoT systems equipped with wireless sensors that can provide early warnings of wildfire activity.

These IoT sensors are designed to withstand harsh forest conditions. According to Dryad, experts in ultra-early wildfire detection, the cost of these sensors is estimated to be around €18.30 ($20) each. Distrelec used this cost and the forest density of each country to estimate the number of IoT sensors each country would need and the associated costs to help mitigate wildfires.

The research suggests that while wildfires in Europe in 2023 cost nearly €4.8 billion, the IoT wireless sensors that could provide early warnings of wildfire activity might cost a mere €1.8 million for the 23 worst-affected countries.

For Greece, the country most severely affected by wildfires in 2023, the estimated cost of these IoT sensors is around €47,600. This is almost 38,000 times less than the estimated €1.8 billion that the wildfires could have cost the country in 2023 according to Distrelec’s estimates.

For Italy, the second most affected country in 2023, the cost of IoT sensors would be around €117,000. For Spain, the third most affected, the cost would be around €226,000. These figures highlight the potential cost-effectiveness of implementing IoT sensors for early wildfire detection and prevention.

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