Historical perspectives on wildfires in Ireland and their importance for contemporary adaptation

Jeffers, J.M (2021) Historical perspectives on wildfires in Ireland and their importance for contemporary adaptation. In: 52nd Annual Conference of Irish Geographers, 18 - 21 May 2021, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland [online].

Abstract

Recent uncontrolled wildfires have highlighted the challenges that these hazards present in Ireland. Despite leading to substantial impacts, wildfires are a neglected and overlooked hazard in an Irish context. The frequency, spatial distribution, and causes of uncontrolled wildfires remain understudied. Within international research on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation there is an increasing recognition of the importance of historically informed research that can contextualise current levels of exposure and vulnerability. Researchers are utilising a variety of archival sources to examine complex histories of human-environment interactions associated with climate related hazards, and the lessons that these histories may offer for current and future adaptation. This presentation outlines ongoing work using newspaper archives to explore the history of wildfire hazards in Ireland. This research reveals that wildfires have been a recurring hazard in Ireland over the past century, and that a variety of strategies have been employed both to reduce the frequency of fires events and to manage those that do occur. These strategies have evolved through time in association with shifting social, economic and political conditions. This history offers important lessons for contemporary hazards management and climate change adaptation.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General) G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions:	School of Sciences
Date Deposited:	21 Feb 2022 10:21
Last Modified:	21 Feb 2022 10:28
URI / Page ID:	https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/14038

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