Experiencing wildfire, understanding risk in mountain regions of Switzerland: a case study of the 2023 Riederhorn wildfire

Abstract Wildfire risk in Switzerland is expected to increase in the future due to a hotter and drier climate and more extreme weather events. This makes community-level preparedness and coping capacity increasingly important. This article focuses on the 2023 wildfire on the Riederhorn mountain in Canton Valais as a case study of a Swiss mountain community directly impacted by wildfire. Through narrative analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted with local residents and professionals managing the event ( n = 12), the article explores peoples’ experiences of the wildfire and how these experiences influence understandings of risk. The results show that peoples’ perceptions are shaped by sensory impressions, emotional responses, and embodied memories, which are often linked to community cohesion and sense of agency. Experiencing the Riederhorn wildfire increased local awareness of risk in the short-term, but its long-term effects arguably depend on collective narratives and institutional practices. The article concludes by highlighting the benefits of strengthening community agency and integrating emotional dimensions and volunteerism into Swiss wildfire governance and hazards management.