The July 9 wildfire in Los Gallardos – in Almería, eastern Andalusia – was a tragedy with a huge human and social impact. Beyond the provisional figures of dead, missing and injured and the specific circumstances – which are yet to be confirmed by an official investigation – the fire raises a broader question: are we still using the right indicators to measure the severity of forest fires?
Traditionally, fire seasons have been assessed mainly on the number of fires recorded, the area burnt, and the fire service’s ability to control the flames. These indicators are still essential, but they are not enough when fires reach inhabited areas and directly endanger the population.
