CLARENCE TOWN, Australia — Australian firefighters say they are on alert as temperatures in the southern ​hemisphere begin to pick up, following a devastating fire season ‌in Europe. Australia is already experiencing a strong El Nino weather event that typically brings with it hotter, drier weather, and an increased risk of wildfires. “We’re concerned this year ​that we’ll see increased fire risk (versus) prior years,” said Trent Curtin, ​head of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, the ⁠world’s largest volunteer firefighting force.  Large parts of Europe, the world’s fastest-warming continent, ​endured sweltering summers, leaving vegetation tinder-dry and fuelling severe wildfires. …Australia has a ​long history of fighting wildfires, including the 2019 to 2020 Black Summer blazes that ‌destroyed ⁠an area the size of Turkey and killed 33 people. …“For this year we’re ​alert but not alarmed,” said Alex Capararo, a sector commander for ​the Forestry ⁠Corporation of New South Wales.