At ISK Fire Survival, we are firmly committed to developing research into the causes of firefighter entrapment and developing ways to reduce firefighter mortality.
A relevant study on firefighter entrapment deaths during wildfires in Europe is the 2017 analysis conducted by Cardil et al., which examines all recorded wildfire fatalities in Sardinia, Italy, from 1945 to 2015. This study categorizes wildfire accident types to study the most frequent causes of fatalities and how these relate to the groups involved (professional firefighters, auxiliary firefighters, and civilians), the size of the fire, and extreme weather conditions. It was observed that the annual number of fatalities was highest during the period 1981–1999, with an average of 2.6 fatalities per year. Entrapment was the most frequent cause of death among professional firefighters, accounting for 75.6% of cases. Fire size was a key factor in fatalities, with more than 80% of wildfire deaths (excluding aircraft accidents) occurring in fires larger than 100 hectares. Days with extreme weather conditions (high temperatures or strong winds) were also a determining factor, with at least 47% of entrapments occurring on these days.
Another important study conducted by Molina-Terrén in 2019 analyzed fatalities caused by wildfires in Southern Europe, including Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Sardinia (Italy), during the period from 1945 to 2016. This study identified a significant increase in fatalities in the late 1970s in the four regions studied and highlighted the seasonality of fatalities during the summer months. Although Spain has the highest number of absolute fatalities, the analysis normalized by population and burned area shows that the annual number of fatalities is comparatively lower. Civilians were the most affected group in Greece (65%) and Sardinia (58%), but not in Spain and Portugal. This study suggests the need for a thorough review of fire management policies and practices, with an emphasis on prevention planning in urban areas and improved training of firefighting resources. The authors of this research are Molina-Terrén, Xanthopoulos, Diakakis, Ribeiro, Caballero, Delogu, Viegas, Silva, and Cardil.
These studies provide valuable insight into the circumstances and factors contributing to firefighter fatalities in wildfires in Europe, highlighting the importance of prevention, adequate training, and preparation for extreme weather conditions in reducing risks to firefighters.