Due to climate change, large forest fires are becoming an increasingly serious threat in many regions of Europe. The multi-year project FIRE-RES – an acronym that stands for "Innovative technologies and socio-ecological-economic solutions for fire resilient territories in Europe" aims to develop and disseminate effective solutions to prevent and manage fires of extreme magnitude, intervening on many levels and in different phases. It is co-financed by the European Union under the Horizon 2020 programme and is coordinated by the Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia; 34 organisations from 13 countries participate, including OBC Transeuropa. In addition to journalistic content, OBCT contributes with dissemination, training, and awareness-raising campaigns, thanks to its growing experience in the field of communication of scientific research and journalism on environmental issues.
FIRES Cyprus: a change of mindset in wildfire prevention?
Paphos | Mary Drosopoulos | 9/12/2024Wildfires pose a serious threat to the environment and the economy of Cyprus, including summer tourism. Between institutional delays and cooperation efforts between the Greek and Turkish communities, the country needs prevention and a paradigm shift
WILD FIRES North Macedonia, the emergency response system needs changes
Tetovo | Aleksandar Samardjiev | 6/8/2024The vast fires that have hit North Macedonia in recent weeks have called into question the country's outdated system for responding to emergency situations. A problem made more serious by the lack of resources and personnel
Protecting forests in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Woods and forests are one of the most valuable resources for Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is largely covered by them. Sustainable management of this natural heritage - and the prevention of forest fires, an phenomenon on the rise - face, however, a number of obstacles. Forest scientist Damir Prljača (University of Sarajevo) discusses them, and the value of forests.
FIRE - RES Greece, fires and responsibility
Thessaloniki | Mary Drosopoulos | 19/4/2024In the controversial trial for the disastrous fire that destroyed the Moria refugee camp on the island of Lesvos, which ended with a conviction, the defence used new scientific data on the fragility of ecosystems to the threat of fire
WILDFIRES Fires in Greece: if migrants become scapegoats
Alexandroupolis | Mary Drosopoulos | 11/1/2024The Greek region of Evros, devastated by fires last summer, is also the external border of the EU: there is a strong temptation to blame the fires on the migrants who cross it. Experts, however, point out the responsibilities of the Greek institutions
WILDFIRES Preventing and managing extreme wildfires in Greece via the FIRE-RES project
Mary Drosopoulos | 30/10/2023The region of Kassandra, Halkidiki, is one of the fire-prone areas in Greece. In the aftermath of the extreme weather phenomena that hit the country in the last months, a holistic approach involving prevention and civic education is now seen as necessary
ENVIRONMENT North Macedonia: limited resources for managing natural park fires
Marco Ranocchiari | 11/10/2023North Macedonia’s protected areas are of great ecological importance, but are increasingly exposed to the risk – among others – of fire. While political fragmentation and a shortage of personnel and resources pose considerable challenges, there has been significant progress. A report from the Šar Mountains National Park
ENVIRONMENT Ukraine's wildfires surge amidst war
Marilen Martin | 7/8/2023Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine led to a surge in forest and rural fires across the country. Combating them is all the more difficult amidst the war that binds all resources and unexploded mines that contaminate the territory
INTERVIEW In Croatia, firefighters brace for climate change
Zagreb | Chiara Marchesini | 27/7/2023Among the effects of climate change are so-called extreme wildfires. In Croatia, large fires in open spaces present a particular problem. We met with the Croatian Association of Firefighters to find out how they are facing up to new challenges
ENVIRONMENT Croatia shows how to deal with the worst wildfires
Zagreb | Chiara Marchesini | 5/7/2023Last year Croatia’s coastal region was hit by an intense wave of forest fires, one of the worst in recent years. But the country has been gearing up to cope – partly thanks to EU funding.
