(ANSA) – BOLOGNA, 20 FEB – For the first time, in Emilia-Romagna, the ‘phase of attention’ for forest fires starts already in February: from Tuesday 22 February, in fact, the first alert step will be activated of which the utmost caution is required in the management of controlled flames in the woods, allowed until 11 am and absolutely forbidden in case of wind.
“It is the first time – says the councilor for civil protection – that the climate situation already imposes restrictive measures in February, rather than at the end of spring or early summer: it had never happened in the past and is a clear signal of the consequences of climate change” .
The state of the vegetation, in fact, shows conditions close to drought on the Apennines between Piacenza and Bologna and in the plain between Modena and Ferrara. The water balance of winter is in fact negative due to the scarcity of rain and snow, the temperatures often higher than the seasonal averages and the dominance of a high pressure field on the Atlantic that will continue in the coming weeks.
Since the beginning of 2022 in Emilia-Romagna there have already been over one hundred fires, mostly in the plains.
Having become more frequent in recent days, the majority of cases have in any case involved small areas, less than one hectare.
This is a situation which the meteorological and climatic situation of the region has an important impact on. According to data provided by Arpae, 2021 was the fourth driest year in the last sixty for the region. (HANDLE).
Source: Ansa
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