The destructive wildfire season of 2026 once again demonstrated that wildfire risk is intensifying and expanding across Europe and beyond. Severe fires affected traditional wildfire-prone regions, while significant events also occurred in areas with more limited experience of large fires, including the United Kingdom and western France. These developments highlight the need to understand wildfire risk as the outcome of interacting climatic, environmental, social, economic and institutional processes – and to strengthen resilience across landscapes, communities, infrastructure and the built environment.
This session welcomes research and practical initiatives addressing all dimensions of wildfire risk, vulnerability and resilience. Contributions may focus on risk assessment, exposure modelling, vulnerability indicators and functions, damage and loss assessment, the vulnerability and resilience of buildings and critical infrastructure, land and fuel management and nature-based solutions. We particularly encourage social and interdisciplinary studies addressing risk perception, preparedness, risk communication and public awareness, public participation and community-based risk reduction, stakeholder engagement, institutional capacity, governance, policy, responsibility and the social impacts of wildfire. Contributions may examine wildfires as an established hazard or as an emerging risk in regions with limited experience and preparedness. Studies can cover the entire risk management cycle from prevention activities to recovery and lessons learned.
By bringing together perspectives from the natural sciences, social sciences, engineering and practice, the session aims to promote exchange across disciplines and regions and support more integrated, equitable and effective approaches to wildfire risk reduction and resilience.