Climate and Wildfire Interface Study for Europe (CHASE) - Completed
01.06.2024 - 31.07.2025
General Overview
The CHASE project addressed the urgent need to understand the impacts of climate change on wildfires, particularly in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). By analysing historical wildfires and their interplay with climatic conditions, CHASE enhanced knowledge of the climate-fire-human nexus. The project delivered open-access data and tools for risk assessments, supporting environmental sustainability and community resilience in a changing climate.
Purpose and Significance
The CHASE project tackled the increasing intensity of fire weather conditions due to climate change and the heightened vulnerability of WUI regions. It sought to deepen understanding of fire dynamics and evaluate the spatiotemporal changes in human exposure within the WUI. By preserving, sharing, and reusing newly acquired scientific findings and methodologies, CHASE aimed to support their use in future research. This initiative aligns with EUniWell's objectives of promoting well-being through environmental sustainability and responsible resource management.
© Neil Mark Thomas on Unsplash
Implementation Method and Timeline
The project involved multiple universities, including the University of Murcia, the University of Florence, the University of Santiago de Compostela, and the University of Birmingham. Methodologically, CHASE focused on comprehensive data collection, historical trend analysis, and dissemination. Key phases included:
- Project coordination and management
- Data management
- Assessment of past changes
- Dissemination and transfer of data and knowledge
Outcomes
The CHASE project developed a framework to assess human exposure to wildfires by combining data on burned areas, fire weather conditions, human presence, and wildland–urban interface indicators. The project produced a scientific manuscript and presented preliminary results at international conferences such as EGU 2025. It also strengthened collaboration between partners through joint research activities and training visits. The results provide a basis for expanding the methodology to other European regions and future research initiatives.
Further Information
Open Access Publication Assessing decadal changes in human exposure near wildfires in a Mediterranean region
Torres-Vázquez, M.Á., Vaglie, M.D., Kettridge, N. et al. Assessing decadal changes in human exposure near wildfires in a Mediterranean region. Sci Rep 16, 5827 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-35426-4
Contact:
Marco Turco, University of Murcia
Miguel Ángel Torres-Vázquez, University of Murcia
Federico Martellozzo, University of Florence
Filippo Randelli, University of Florence
Gonzalo Miguez-Macho, University of Santiago de Compostela
Nick Kettridge, University of Birmingham
