Harvard Institute organises symposium on fire prevention
04Harvard Institute organises symposium on fire prevention
03 April 2008
published by www.financialmirror.com
Ancient Greeks used to say that harmony of the environment is related to the inner world of the human being, but this is not the case anymore, at least according to experts who attended an international symposium here.
All speakers at the symposium on the Prevention of disasters and their consequences in Greece: Building partnerships to mitigate the effects of forest fires agreed that the harmonious co-existence of the environment and humans has all but gone.
The meeting was organised by the International Institute of Harvard-Athens and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, under the aegis of the Special Emergencies Fund and the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Greece.
About 17 distinguished academics and experts from five different countries described their experiences on how to prevent and extinguish fires and mitigate their consequences.
Everybody agreed that forest fires cannot just be stopped. Taking into account the climate change all around the world and the catastrophic effects of a fire on the local ecological and social system, all speakers emphasised that the key point is prevention.
The French government, the meeting heard, has developed an early warning system which ten minutes after a fire breaks out, fire extinguishing helicopters or a team of firemen arrive at the scene of the fire.
Every dollar we spend to prevent fire is equal to seven dollars for recovery of the damages, said James Lee Witt, Director of the US Federal Emergency Management Agency 1993-2001.
Margarita Arianoutsou, Associate Professor of Ecology at Kapodistrian University said that the climate around the Mediterranean is changing.
In 2007 the area burnt by forest fires in southern Europe was bigger than the total area damaged by fires in the past 27 years, she said.
Last years fires in Greece cost the lives of 76 people and burnt an area of 270.000 hectares of forest and agriculture land. Thats almost 10% of the total forest land of the country, she added.
The issue of natural disasters and more specifically forest fires is one of the many regional problems of critical importance to the environment and public health, stressed Philip Demokritou, Director of International Institute of Harvard-Cyprus.
International co-operation on this issue is needed, because natural disasters have no borders, said Greek Minister of Health, Demetris Avramopoulos.
EU Solidarity Fund: Commission proposes aid worth 89.7 million following forest fires in Greece
04EU Solidarity Fund: Commission proposes aid worth 89.7 million following forest fires in Greece
8 April 2008
published by www.edubourse.com
Europe — The European Commission is proposing a grant for Greece from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) totalling 89.7 million to offset part of the costs incurred after devastating forest fires during the summer of 2007. This proposal to the Budget Authority (European Parliament and Council) will result in funding being made available as soon as the Authority agrees. The grant will be used to reimburse the cost of emergency measures such as rescue services, the provision of temporary housing, the cleaning up of disaster-stricken areas and the restoration of basic infrastructures to working condition.
Danuta Hübner, European Commissioner responsible for the Solidarity Fund, said: I had the opportunity to see the horrific fire damage in Greece for myself, so I know the scale of the needs. Last year we had several major natural disasters in Europe, devastating the lives of people both in the north and the south. We had many calls for assistance from the European Solidarity Fund, after storm Kyrill in Germany, and disastrous floods in the UK, as well as from Greece. . Let’s act on the lessons learnt: I hope Member States will finally take on board the Commissions 2005 proposal to improve the Solidarity Fund with the European Parliament’s support. We proposed measures that would allow advance payments and mobilise the funds more quickly. Last year showed us just how much we need these improvements.”
In summer 2007, a large part of Greece was affected by forest fires. They were most intense and widespread in Western Greece, the Peloponnese, Continental Greece and Attica. The disaster caused major damage to the economy and to basic infrastructure and the environment. Substantial costs were incurred for providing temporary accommodation and funding rescue services to meet the immediate needs of the population concerned. There were 65 deaths in the Peloponnese, in Western Greece and in Evvoia as a result of the fires.
Today’s proposal to mobilise a grant of 89.7 million requires the Budget Authority to adopt an amending budget. The Commission and the Greek authorities will then sign a financing agreement.
Background
The EU Solidarity Fund, created in 2002, grants emergency aid to Member States and countries involved in accession negotiations in the event of a major natural disaster. Its annual allocation amounts to 1 billion. To qualify for aid under the Solidarity Fund, countries must provide a documented estimate of the damage which is examined by the Commission in the light of specific criteria. On 6 April 2005, the Commission adopted a proposal for the new and improved EU Solidarity Fund (for 2007-2013), which would cover disasters other than those arising from natural catastrophes and with improved eligibility criteria and delivery mechanisms (see MEMO/05/111). This proposal is pending in the European Parliament and the Council.
The Commission has taken other measures to help Greece in its reconstruction effort under Cohesion policy. Under the previous programming period (2000-2006), a one year extension of the eligibility deadline, originally fixed to 2008, has been granted for the regional programmes of Western Greece, Peloponnesus, Attica and Continental Greece and for the thematic programmes entitled Road axes, ports, urban development and railways, airport, urban transport.
Forest fire leaves without power two villages in Khasan district of Primorye Territory
04Forest fire leaves without power two villages in Khasan district of Primorye Territory
17 April 2008
published by www.itar-tass.com
Russia — A forest fire in the Khasan district, Primorye Territory, left without electricity several dwelling houses in two villages Barabash and Ovchinnikovka as well as a border post, reported the press service of the local branch of the Primorye power grid. The fire damaged a suspension cable power line, burning down four wooden pylons.
Work to restore the power line started on Thursday. The damaged line 30 kilometres long is planned to be restored and put into operation in one day.
According to the Ministry for Emergencies, a disquieting situation is shaping up in the Primorye Territory with forest fires. The violation of fire safety rules by local population uncontrolled burning-up of dry grass and smouldering bonfires of holidaymakers is the main reason for forest fires.
The Primorye Territory took a decision on Wednesday to set up a common crisis centre to orchestrate efforts of all departments to put out forest fires. At the same time, preventive measures will be carried out in all cities and districts of the territory which are in the risk zone.
It is planned to form voluntary fire-fighting teams in villages and towns. Besides, local authorities should take under their control measures on burning up dry grass in spring, which is the main reason for fires.
NE China, Inner Mongolia face highest spring forest fire risk in 60 years
04NE China, Inner Mongolia face highest spring forest fire risk in 60 years
23 April 2008
published by news.xinhuanet.com
Beijing, China — The State Headquarters for Forest Fire Control on Wednesday ordered forest fire prevention measures to be stepped up in northeast China and Inner Mongolia, which are facing the highest spring fire risk in 60 years.
Precipitation in northeast China and Inner Mongolia was more than 30 percent less than the annual average, with temperatures 1 to 6 degrees centigrade higher, said headquarters chief Jia Zhibang.
Since March 15, Inner Mongolia and the northeast provinces of Jilin and Heilongjiang had seen 16 to 24 days with forest fire risks at or above “Level Four”, which required banning any fire use in forests, said Jia.
Warm weather and little rainfall in the coming days would worsen the situation, he said.
He urged forest fire officials at all levels to check and remove hidden dangers thoroughly and tighten control over fire use in open country, especially during the May Day holiday when more tourists would enter forests.
Most of north China will see temperatures higher than average in the next 30 days, most obviously felt in the eastern part of northeast China and Inner Mongolia, according to weather forecast.
Forest fire area triples in Russian Republic of Altai for the past day
04Forest fire area triples in Russian Republic of Altai for the past day
24 April 2008
published by www.itar-tass.com
Russia — The area of forest fires has tripled in the Russian Republic of Altai for the past day. Meanwhile, another two fires broke out, and now seven fires on an area of 128.5 hectares are raging in the republic. The fires burnt down 87.5 hectares of forests, a source in the Ministry of Natural Resources told Itar-Tass on Thursday.
Specialists said the forest fire area in the republic keeps growing over a hot dry weather. The air temperatures rise to 27-29 degrees Centigrade.
More than 50 specialists of the Gorno-Altailes organisation established this year and 18 airborne troopers from the Altai forest protection airbase are involved in the firefighting efforts. Ten pieces of machinery are involved in the firefighting operation.
From the beginning of the warm season this year 53 forest fires have already broken out in the republic. The fires spread on about 600 hectares of forests, trees grow on about 400 hectares.
All in all, in 2007 126 forests fires broke out in the Republic of Altai, and the flames destroyed 1,387 hectares of forests. Almost all fires were caused by the careless handling with fire in 2007 and this year.
Fire chief’s warning over grass fires
04Fire chief’s warning over grass fires
02 April 2008
published by www.shieldsgazette.com
FIRE chiefs are warning that lives are being put at risk after a spate of grass fires at a South Tyneside park.
The message comes after crews tackled three grass fires at the weekend, and several others over the last three nights.
The small blazes on fields at Temple Memorial Park, South Shields, are believed to have been started by youngsters.
Today, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue service is warning those responsible that their reckless behaviour is diverting vital resources from where they are needed most, putting other people’s lives at risk as well as their own.
Mick Edwards, station manager at South Shields Community Fire Station, said: “This behaviour ties up valuable resources which could be needed at a more serious incident.
“We are out regularly to deliver a schools’ education programme, highlighting the danger
of fires and the risks. We have also delivered the community safety message to every
comprehensive school in South Tyneside in the past year.
“Grass fires not only put lives at risk but those who start them are also putting their own lives in danger and this is something we don’t want to see.
“Grass fires can spread quickly and move to properties, causing a more serious incident with greater consequences.”
Firefighters are now urging those responsible to think about their actions before someone dies in a fire because local crews are elsewhere.
At the weekend, crews tackled a blaze on Temple Park fields at 7pm on Sunday, only to return an hour later after grass was again set alight.
And crews were called out for similar incidents on Temple Park on three consecutive evenings this week.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service is working alongside its partners at South Tyneside Council and Northumbria Police to tackle anti-social behaviour involving fires.
Indonesia’s Palm Oil Boom Takes Environmental Toll
04Indonesia’s Palm Oil Boom Takes Environmental Toll
2 April 2008
published by AFP via Today Online
Indonesia — Marto Wijoyo and his family left the overcrowded Indonesian island of Java 27 years ago in search of a better life on neighbouring Sumatra. The government had given Wijoyo, now 60, a tract of fertile land to plant with rice and a home to call his own as part of a plan to ease Java’s population pressures.
Soon, he was producing twice-yearly harvests of more than ten tonnes of rice. Life was easy then, he said.
All that changed four years ago when his neighbours in this lush village in Sumatra’s Riau province decided to join the palm oil craze that has turned Indonesia into the world’s biggest producer.
Farmers across the region have switched from food crops to oil palm, lured by rising prices as the demand for the clean-burning biofuels it is largely used to make has risen.
Last year, around 2.1 million hectares of land in Riau was taken up by oil palm plantations, compared with only around 400,000 hectares a decade ago. But despite its green credentials, the crop is taking a major toll on the environment, driving forest clearing, polluting rivers and introducing more pests.
Wijoyo, who resisted joining the rush, said his crop has halved since oil palm plantations began springing up in nearby fields, providing a dry haven for pests to nest away from the damp rise paddies.
“Ever since they planted oil palm the number of birds, rats, snails has increased, and they are destroying our rice crops,” he said.
Large swathes of Sumatra’s forest have been destroyed to make way for palm oil plantations, with companies clearing the trees and burning the stumps that remain.
Greenpeace activist Zulfahmi said the fires can smoulder underneath the dry peat for months, producing clouds of acrid smoke that spread far and wide.
“The demand for palm oil has driven the clearing of more and more peatland forests. What we see here is one of the last remaining forests in Riau,” he said, waving at forested peatlands in the process of being cleared.
“Peat thickness in Riau in some areas can reach more than ten metres. To prepare a peatland forest for plantation, a company will clear all the timber out, then stack the remaining stumps and burn them.”
The large amount of fertilizer required for oil palm cultivation is also threatening local rivers — and the livelihoods of the fishermen that depend on them.
Bujang Sok, 65, showed AFP his meagre catch of less than two kilogrammes (five pounds) of fish from the Cenaku river. A decade ago, he said, he was catching 10 times as much.
“How can we catch any fish? The water is polluted by the palm oil companies’ fertilizers and the peat water,” he said as he pointed at the murky river.
Kuala Cenaku chief Mursyid Ali fondly remembers the days when his village was known all over the country as one of Indonesia’s biggest rice producers. He accused people of blindly following the palm oil craze and worried that the irrigation system in place for growing rice would be left to rot.
“In five years I am sure there will be fewer and fewer people planting rice,” he said. “Unfortunately, the agriculture office cannot force people to plant rice. People can plant whatever they want.”
Haze Could Worsen This Year – ASEAN Ministers
04Haze Could Worsen This Year – ASEAN Ministers
9 April 2008
published by www.planetark.com
Southeast Asia — Smog from forest fires, which costs Southeast Asian economies billions in lost tourist dollars, could worsen as changing weather patterns cause an unusually dry spell, the region’s environment ministers warned on Tuesday.
The effects of the La Nina weather phenomenon are expected to wear off in the third quarter of 2008, which could result in arid conditions, the ministers said, quoting a forecast from the ASEAN Meteorological Centre.
“This could lead to drier periods and the possibility of escalating hot-spot activities during the coming dry season,” environment ministers from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei said in a statement.
La Nina refers to an abnormal cooling of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, while its counterpart El Nino refers to a warming of surface temperatures.
Since 1997, peat and forest fires in Indonesia’s Sumatra and Borneo islands have triggered a choking haze which billows across the region, affecting Singapore, Malaysia and parts of Thailand.
The ASEAN ministers had gathered in the Malaysian administrative capital to discuss the haze, which usually occurs around mid-year as farmers and timber and plantation firms in the region openly burn plots of land ahead of the planting season.
ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, groups the countries of Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and the Philippines.
“We have to prepare for the worst and hope for the best,” Indonesian Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar told reporters.
“We are not going to delude ourselves that we are going to wipe out all the haze. There will be some burning, some haze.”
Near-annual bouts of haze have made many people ill across a wide area of Southeast Asia, cost local economies billions of dollars and badly hit the tourism and airline sectors.
Singapore appealed to tourists not to avoid the region during the period as has happened in the past.
Southeast Asia is a magnet for big-spending visitors from the Middle East in July and August, as they seek to escape the scorching summer back home.
“Please come and visit the region,” Singapore Environment Minister Yaacob Ibrahim said.
Mekong forests on fire alert
04Mekong forests on fire alert
17 April 2008
published by vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn
Viet Nam — More than 120,000 ha of forests in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta are on fire alert after lengthy dry, hot weather has left forested areas parched.
The provincial forest protection departments say most areas are at alert level number five, though some are at four.
Most forests are cajeput forests in Ca Mau, Kien Giang, Long An, An Giang, Dong Thap and Hau Giang provinces.
The southernmost province of Ca Mau alone has 20,000ha of cajeput forests in U Minh Ha National Park on a number 5 fire alert, according to the Ca Mau Province Forest Protection Department.
Nguyen Quang Cua, head of the Ca Mau Province Forest Protection Department, said the humidity in the forests was falling rapidly.
“Even ash from a cigarette could cause a fire,” Cua said.
The Ca Mau Province Forest Protection Department has tightened measures on fire prevention and control in the 53,000ha cajeput forests in the U Minh Ha National Park.
The department has set up 142 firewatch towers and provided 52 water pumps and pipes, boats and an automobile. It has mobilised more than 4,200 people to patrol the forest round the clock.
Forest rangers and firefighting facilities can reach a forest fire spot within 10 minutes to extinguish a fire, Cua said.
The Mekong Delta has had about five forest fires over the dry season, but they were promptly extinguished and caused little damage.
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