News FIRE-RES

Cyprus: a change of mindset in wildfire prevention?

09/12/2024 -  Mary Drosopoulos Paphos

Wildfires 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

North Macedonia, the emergency response system needs changes

06/08/2024 -  Aleksandar Samardjiev Tetovo

The vast fires that have hit North Macedonia in recent weeks have called into question the country's outdated system for responding to emergency situations.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

23/05/2024

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.

Greece, fires and responsibility

19/04/2024 -  Mary Drosopoulos Thessaloniki

In 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

Fires in Greece: if migrants become scapegoats

11/01/2024 -  Mary Drosopoulos Alexandroupolis

The 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

Preventing and managing extreme wildfires in Greece via the FIRE-RES project

30/10/2023 -  Mary Drosopoulos

The 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

North Macedonia: limited resources for managing natural park fires

11/10/2023 -  Marco Ranocchiari

North 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

Ukraine's wildfires surge amidst war

07/08/2023 -  Marilen Martin

Russia’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

In Croatia, firefighters brace for climate change

27/07/2023 -  Chiara Marchesini Zagreb

Among 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

Croatia shows how to deal with the worst wildfires

05/07/2023 -  Chiara Marchesini Zagreb

Last 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.