Citation

de Oliveira E, Lobo-do-Vale R, Colaço MC. Int. J. Disaster Risk Reduct. 2023; 95: e103852.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.103852

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In Portugal, each year, the news typically report one or two cases of elderly farmer fatalities or injuries. However, in 2018, a startling 20 incidents were documented. This study aims to analyse the various factors that may account for this unusual surge in the numbers. To gather comprehensive and organized data on the incidents, a meticulous review of both regional and national news sources was conducted from 2008 to 2021. This enabled the collection of various variables, including date, location, gender, age, and other pertinent information. Additionally, meteorological data related to wildfire risk, sociodemographic indices, and the legislative context were also incorporated to provide a more complete understanding of the incidents. Between 2008 and 2021, a total of 54 incidents were recorded, with fatalities accounting for 78% of cases. The exceptional rise in incidents in 2018 constituted 37% of the total incidents. The majority of incidents involved elderly individuals (82%) and were primarily males (80%). March and October were the months when most incidents occurred. After conducting meteorological, social, and legislative analyses, it was found that the primary driver behind the dramatic increase in incidents in 2018 was most probably the intense pressure to manage the vegetation, due to an impending deadline for fuel reductions, along with stricter inspections and law enforcement that doubled the fines for non-compliance.

Language: en

Keywords

Fatalities; Fire use; Huddled agriculture and forestry leftovers; Injuries; Legislative pressure; Rural population; Slash-burn; Traditional fire; Wildfire prevention