Key opportunities for KNMI to enhance its role in wildfire risk management in the Netherlands

Wildfire occurrence and intensity are increasing globally as a result of climate change. This trend is also observed in the Netherlands and wildfire risks and impacts are projected to worsen in the near future. It is evident that current wildfire strategies are not sustainable with the increasing risks, resulting in a call for a transition in wildfire management in the Netherlands. This research explores the current role and responsibilities of KNMI in the organizational landscape of wildfire management and aims to identify wildfire-related research and development opportunities. Literature reviews were conducted and nine sessions with stakeholders were organized to examine current and future wildfire risks and impacts, and to get an overview of relevant parties and national collaborations and developments on the topic of wildfires.

Results show that despite KNMI's legal responsibility to warn and protect Dutch society from weather-related dangers, KNMI currently has no official warning duties or other services for wildfires. Regarding the institute's expertise in weather- and climate-related research and developing data-driven technologies, stakeholders perceive KNMI as a potential valuable contributor to wildfire research and developments. This research concludes that KNMI can enhance its role by further stimulating the development of products like wildfire quantitative impact-forecasts and tailored fire weather hazard maps for the Netherlands, working towards operationalization of services in close collaboration with stakeholders like NIPV, and consequently stimulating the shift from reactive to proactive wildfire management in the Netherlands.