An Evaluation of the Atmospheric Instability Effect on Wildfire Danger Using ERA5 over the Iberian Peninsula

The Fire Weather Index (FWI) is used to assess meteorological fire danger worldwide. It has been argued that it lacks an atmospheric instability term. A new enhanced FWI (FWIe) was recently developed incorporating in the form of Continuous Haines (CHI). Here, first climatological and evolution analysis these indexes performed using ERA5 data for 1980–2020 period. There a prevalence higher values over central Iberia; were heavily modulated by climate types, topography, land cover. Southwest east Iberia suffered greatest decadal increases all three indexes. Relating both occurrences detected satellite, through radiative power (FRP), showed FWIe provided improved assessment higher-risk conditions. This greater-risk observations more prone be affected than lower-danger observations. Case studies 2017 Portugal 2003 2018 Monchique wildfires additionally conducted verify conclusions. work points usefulness when/where may play critical role development wildfires, which contribute focused deployment suppression mechanisms authorities.