GLOBAL WILDLAND FIRE NETWORK (GWFN)

Silva Mediterranea Working Group “Forest Fires”

Introduction

In the Mediterranean Region, the “Working Group on Forest Fire” of the “Committee on Mediterranean Forestry Questions Silva Mediterranea“ is one of six networks within the region of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) – and one of 14 Regional Wildland Fire Networks of the Global Wildland Fire Network (GWFN).

The objective of the Network is the promotion of forest fire prevention in the Mediterranean basin through the development of the following activities

Enhance international cooperation

  • Strengthen cooperation between WG1 members and other Mediterranean regions, and promote knowledge exchange and information sharing.
  • Promote the implementation of FAO Voluntary Guidelines on Fire Management, considering a possible review and update of the document, and promote UNISDR Fire Aviation Guidelines.

Integration of fire prevention in forest programs and adaptation of strategies to combat climate change

  • Promote the implementation of the Position Paper on Wildfire Prevention in the Mediterranean (2011), considering a possible review and update of the document.
  • Promote integrated approaches on fire prevention, including fire-causes investigation and prescribed burning.
  • Share local, national and regional experiences.

Promote Knowledge and training on wildfires

  • Adaptation and dissemination of ICS in the Mediterranean.
  • Share and identify education and awareness initiatives for identified target groups.

Enhance harmonized information systems to deal with new wildfire risks

  • Continue promoting the use of EFFIS and other new developments/capabilities.
  • Promote the Silva Mediterranea web page to spread and share updated information about fire prevention.

Website of the Working Group “Forest Fires”

Recent Statements / Documents of the Working Group “Forest Fires”

Historic Highlights

The following activities and documents are taken from earlier (meanwhile expired) publications on the former Silva Mediterranea Website and mirrored here:

Workshop on Assessment of Forest Fire Risks and Innovative Strategies for Fire Prevention in Europe (Rhodes, Greece, 4-7 May 2010): The workshop was co-organized by the Greek General Directorate of Development and Protection of Forests and Natural Environment, the Department of Forests of Republic of Cyprus, the Union of South European Foresters (USSE), the Ministerial Conference of the Protection of Forests in Europe (FOREST EUROPE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Silva Mediterranea Committee. The objectives of the workshop were to review the current national forest fire prevention systems in European Countries, to identify innovative strategies, best available practices and possible policy instruments, and to develop policy conclusions and recommendations in relation to forest fire prevention in Europe.

Short overview of activities of Silva Mediterranea published in UNECE/FAO International Forest Fire News (IFFN) in 1996:

First Workshop on Multilateral Assistance Against Forest Fires in the Mediterranean Basin (Zaragoza, Spain, 10-11 June 2003): The objectives of the workshop included to study procedures to coordinate the existing mutual agreements and common legal and logistical tools to make effective, when needed, the multilateral assistance against forest fires within the Mediterranean Basin by sharing resources. This workshop was a preliminary activity to prepare a future Mediterranean conference on Multilateral Assistance against forest fires.

Overview of related regional cooperative initiatives (2003): GFMC overview on regional initiatives in the field of transnational cooperation in fire management in the early 2000s:

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