Mid-term effects of a thin-only treatment on fuel complex, potential fire behaviour and severity and post-fire soil erosion protection in fast-growing pine plantations

•Thin-only could reduce the likelihood of active crown fires and spread in the midterm.•For low and moderate intensities, fuel moisture surpassed wind speed effect on fire severity.•Thin-only has a minor influence on the reduction of fire severity and soil protection.•Surface fuel reduction is needed to increase thin-only efficiency.