Forest Regrows After Fire in Switzerland

Why this is here: The fire consumed approximately 80 hectares of forest—an area equivalent to about 112 football fields—threatening the natural defenses of the nearby village.

Four years ago, a train line defect started a fire that burned roughly 80 hectares of forest above Verdasio in the Centovalli region of Switzerland. The flames destroyed not only trees but also natural protections against hazards like rockfalls and landslides.

Forest engineer Giovanni Galli notes the steep mountainside near the village presents a considerable risk. Initial regrowth consists largely of gorse, a plant that thrives after fires.

However, gorse is also highly flammable and can inhibit the growth of newly planted trees. About half of the 200 trees planted after the fire did not survive their first growing season.

Remaining trees bear scars from the fire, making them vulnerable to disease. The region of Ticino accounts for 80% of Switzerland’s forest fire damage over the last twenty years.

Former forestry official Marco Conedera explains the area’s combination of rainfall and dry periods creates flammable vegetation. While fire frequency has decreased since the 1990s due to preventative measures, balancing natural renewal with human safety remains a challenge. Forest recovery will take decades.