ABSTRACT The interpretation and communication of fire danger warning levels based on weather indi... more ABSTRACT The interpretation and communication of fire danger warning levels based on weather indices values are critical for fire management activities. In the framework of the EU Alpine Space Interreg-project ALP FFIRS (Alpine Forest Fire Warning System) we verified the response of several Fire Weather Indices with respect to the recorded forest fires in the last 10 years. To this purpose, we first set up a platform for sharing historical series of forest fire and weather data and we then developed a common evaluation technique of the fire weather indices skills on the basis of the following principles: a) to be non-parametric, in order to avoid the potential production of spurious results and b) to distinguish skills of several indices in different seasons and different areas. Our analysis demonstrates very clearly that there is no perfect index, the best performing one may change according to the region and the season considered. We also hypothesize that a single index may only partially describe the fire danger and a combination of indices may be of great benefit for establishing a suitable a Fire Danger Rating system in the Alpine context. The study will provide the forest fire suppression services an objective analysis of fire danger systems at the Alpine area scale and contribute to the creation of a common Alpine Forest Fire Danger Scale, even if the regional services will use different fire weather indices.
In this article, several findings on socio-economic conditions derived from national reports and ... more In this article, several findings on socio-economic conditions derived from national reports and a web-based questionnaire are discussed and related to the changing role of forestry and the future forest policy development. A number of Central and South-eastern European countries taking part in a SEE-ERA-NET project ReForMan project (www.reforman.de) participated in data acquisition: Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, Serbia and Slovenia. The aim of the research was to illustrate the present structure of forestry sector, as well as investigate newly emerging topics in forestry of Central and South-eastern Europe. The results indicated certain patterns in attitudes and perceptions among stakeholders that can be related to socio-economic conditions defined for each country. Clear differences between member and non-member countries exist only in level of implementation of EU legislation. Results showed consensus on main threats to the forests among all countries, but also some country specifics in perceptions of factors influencing forestry, their importance and professional competencies. These results could be additionally explained by influence of historical conditions which shaped development of forest sector in SEE region especially in its organizational dimension as well as in perceived role of forestry expressed through recognition of main forest functions. The influence of European forest policy processes in the region is evident through adaptation of EU legislation and perceived implications of international processes on national levels. Based on this observation, two possible options for future development of the forestry sector can be foreseen: (i) focusing on the productive function of forests and fostering its’ sustainable use; or (ii) putting an emphasis on environmental and social issues. In both cases supporting public participation in decision-making processes is recommendable. Another conclusion based on perceived medium to low professional competencies to cope with new topics, that there is lack of confidence and need for professional support in decision making processes.
ABSTRACT The interpretation and communication of fire danger warning levels based on weather indi... more ABSTRACT The interpretation and communication of fire danger warning levels based on weather indices values are critical for fire management activities. In the framework of the EU Alpine Space Interreg-project ALP FFIRS (Alpine Forest Fire Warning System) we verified the response of several Fire Weather Indices with respect to the recorded forest fires in the last 10 years. To this purpose, we first set up a platform for sharing historical series of forest fire and weather data and we then developed a common evaluation technique of the fire weather indices skills on the basis of the following principles: a) to be non-parametric, in order to avoid the potential production of spurious results and b) to distinguish skills of several indices in different seasons and different areas. Our analysis demonstrates very clearly that there is no perfect index, the best performing one may change according to the region and the season considered. We also hypothesize that a single index may only partially describe the fire danger and a combination of indices may be of great benefit for establishing a suitable a Fire Danger Rating system in the Alpine context. The study will provide the forest fire suppression services an objective analysis of fire danger systems at the Alpine area scale and contribute to the creation of a common Alpine Forest Fire Danger Scale, even if the regional services will use different fire weather indices.
ABSTRACT The interpretation and communication of fire danger warning levels based on weather indi... more ABSTRACT The interpretation and communication of fire danger warning levels based on weather indices values are critical for fire management activities. In the framework of the EU Alpine Space Interreg-project ALP FFIRS (Alpine Forest Fire Warning System) we verified the response of several Fire Weather Indices with respect to the recorded forest fires in the last 10 years. To this purpose, we first set up a platform for sharing historical series of forest fire and weather data and we then developed a common evaluation technique of the fire weather indices skills on the basis of the following principles: a) to be non-parametric, in order to avoid the potential production of spurious results and b) to distinguish skills of several indices in different seasons and different areas. Our analysis demonstrates very clearly that there is no perfect index, the best performing one may change according to the region and the season considered. We also hypothesize that a single index may only partially describe the fire danger and a combination of indices may be of great benefit for establishing a suitable a Fire Danger Rating system in the Alpine context. The study will provide the forest fire suppression services an objective analysis of fire danger systems at the Alpine area scale and contribute to the creation of a common Alpine Forest Fire Danger Scale, even if the regional services will use different fire weather indices.
In this article, several findings on socio-economic conditions derived from national reports and ... more In this article, several findings on socio-economic conditions derived from national reports and a web-based questionnaire are discussed and related to the changing role of forestry and the future forest policy development. A number of Central and South-eastern European countries taking part in a SEE-ERA-NET project ReForMan project (www.reforman.de) participated in data acquisition: Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, Serbia and Slovenia. The aim of the research was to illustrate the present structure of forestry sector, as well as investigate newly emerging topics in forestry of Central and South-eastern Europe. The results indicated certain patterns in attitudes and perceptions among stakeholders that can be related to socio-economic conditions defined for each country. Clear differences between member and non-member countries exist only in level of implementation of EU legislation. Results showed consensus on main threats to the forests among all countries, but also some country specifics in perceptions of factors influencing forestry, their importance and professional competencies. These results could be additionally explained by influence of historical conditions which shaped development of forest sector in SEE region especially in its organizational dimension as well as in perceived role of forestry expressed through recognition of main forest functions. The influence of European forest policy processes in the region is evident through adaptation of EU legislation and perceived implications of international processes on national levels. Based on this observation, two possible options for future development of the forestry sector can be foreseen: (i) focusing on the productive function of forests and fostering its’ sustainable use; or (ii) putting an emphasis on environmental and social issues. In both cases supporting public participation in decision-making processes is recommendable. Another conclusion based on perceived medium to low professional competencies to cope with new topics, that there is lack of confidence and need for professional support in decision making processes.
ABSTRACT The interpretation and communication of fire danger warning levels based on weather indi... more ABSTRACT The interpretation and communication of fire danger warning levels based on weather indices values are critical for fire management activities. In the framework of the EU Alpine Space Interreg-project ALP FFIRS (Alpine Forest Fire Warning System) we verified the response of several Fire Weather Indices with respect to the recorded forest fires in the last 10 years. To this purpose, we first set up a platform for sharing historical series of forest fire and weather data and we then developed a common evaluation technique of the fire weather indices skills on the basis of the following principles: a) to be non-parametric, in order to avoid the potential production of spurious results and b) to distinguish skills of several indices in different seasons and different areas. Our analysis demonstrates very clearly that there is no perfect index, the best performing one may change according to the region and the season considered. We also hypothesize that a single index may only partially describe the fire danger and a combination of indices may be of great benefit for establishing a suitable a Fire Danger Rating system in the Alpine context. The study will provide the forest fire suppression services an objective analysis of fire danger systems at the Alpine area scale and contribute to the creation of a common Alpine Forest Fire Danger Scale, even if the regional services will use different fire weather indices.
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