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Wildfire CE

Project overview

Enabling cross-boundary assessment, communication and management of wildfire risks in Central Europe

Climate change increases the threat of wildfires across central Europe. Since they often affect more than one region, fighting these fires needs better cooperation and information sharing. The Wildfire CE project improves the assessment and management of wildfire risks by mapping fire potentials, providing fire assessment manuals, and developing action plans for pilot regions. In cooperation with regional authorities and emergency services, the partners empower local communities and organisations to tackle this transborder challenge with shared knowledge, tools and coordinated actions across borders.

2,25m €

Project Budget

80%

of the Budget is funded by ERDF

Layer 1

5

Countries

7

Regions

9

Partners

1

Pilots

Duration

Start date

End date

Project progress

49%

Project partnership

Project partners

Deutschland (DE)

Lead partner

Saxon State Ministry for Regional Development

European Spatial Planning, Regional Development
Address
Archivstr. 1
01097 Dresden
Country
Germany (DE)
Web
www.smr.sachsen.de

Project partner

Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry
Address
Via 8 Febbraio 2
35122 Padova
Country
Italy (IT)
Web
https://www.unipd.it/
Total partner budget
197,400 €
Faculty of Environmental Sciences - Junior Professorship in Environmental Remote Sensing
Address
Helmholtzstr. 10
01069 Dresden
Country
Germany (DE)
Web
https://tu-dresden.de/geo/envrs
Total partner budget
414,869 €
Address
Večna pot 2
1000 Ljubljana
Country
Slovenia (SI)
Web
https://www.gozdis.si/en/basic-information/
Total partner budget
211,680 €
Department of Forest- and Soil Sciences, Institute of Silviculture
Address
Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33
1180 Wien
Country
Austria (AT)
Web
https://boku.ac.at
Total partner budget
315,301 €
Unit of Geoinformatics
Address
Moskevská 1523/63
10100 Praha
Country
Czechia (CZ)
Web
www.cenia.cz
Total partner budget
238,126 €
Domain of Climate Analysis and Modelling
Address
Bělidla 986/4a
60300 Brno
Country
Czechia (CZ)
Web
https://www.czechglobe.cz
Total partner budget
246,400 €
Department for Economics and Development
Address
Cesta 5. maja 6a
5270 Ajdovščina
Country
Slovenia (SI)
Web
www.ajdovscina.si
Total partner budget
196,160 €
Dipartimento protezione civile, foreste e fauna / Servizio Foreste
Address
Piazza Dante 15
38122 Trento
Country
Italy (IT)
Web
https://www.provincia.tn.it/Amministrazione/Strutture-organizzative/Servizio-foreste
Total partner budget
155,400 €

Roadmap

1

Challenge: Growing Wildfire Risk in Border Regions

Throughout Central Europe, the risk of wildfires is increasing due to climate change, endangering people, ecosystems, and infrastructure. Border regions are particularly vulnerable, as fragmented land management, inconsistent risk assessments, and a lack of shared data hinder effective cross-border prevention and response.

2

Idea: A Joint, Cross-Border Approach to Wildfire Management

WILDFIRE CE aims to develop a shared understanding of wildfire risks and improve coordination among regions across borders. By harmonizing methods and pooling knowledge, the project will foster a more integrated and inclusive approach to assessing, managing, and reducing wildfire risks.

3

Solution: Shared Tools, Data, and Action Plans

The project will map wildfire fuels, fire behavior, and access routes across regions and borders, and will create a manual for risk assessment tailored to Central European border areas. Pilot actions and a digital platform will support local authorities, emergency services, and planners in making informed, coordinated decisions to reduce wildfire risk.

4

How It Works: Data-Driven Actions and Transnational Cooperation

Regional Kick-off workshop - Saxony 4

The project begins by gathering spatial data and best practices to inform a wildfire risk assessment manual. This information feeds into an online platform and action plans tested in pilot regions, enabling targeted prevention and response. Transnational cooperation ensures that knowledge, tools, and strategies are shared and adapted across all participating territories.

News

Events

Pilot actions

Outputs

1.1 Strategy for the Application of Spatial and Weather Data for assessing Wildfire Risk in Border Regions

This manual provides guidance for regions outside of the partnership on how to carry out wildfire risk assessments. It outlines an application-oriented methodology, developed in D3.1.3, which includes the key stages of risk assessment, appropriate data sources, and validation methods that combine satellite data with ground-based observations. The strategy also identifies important national and regional institutions, including cross-border equivalents, to support the implementation of these assessments in various territories.
Type of output: Strategies and action plans
In development

2.2 Wildfire CE Risk Platform

The project is built around a shared system that collects and organizes data on the platform, making it available across countries. This online Platform for Risk and Resource Management will act as a digital tool providing access and resource mapping to support emergency services, planners, and authorities in targeting actions and allocating firefighting resources efficiently. Relevant groups will also receive training on how to use it, helping them work together more effectively to prevent and respond to wildfires.
Type of output: Solutions
In development
Draft Action plan

3.1 Regional Action Plans to Manage Wildfire Risk in Cross-Border Landscapes

As part of the project, four cross-border Action Plans will be developed to strengthen cooperation in preventing risks and improving emergency communication between neighboring countries. These plans will build on existing strategies, introduce new approaches, and reflect the needs and ambitions of local stakeholders. From the very beginning, stakeholders such as local authorities, emergency services, and community representatives will be actively involved in shaping and implementing the plans. This ensures that the Action Plans are practical, widely supported, and sustainable, guiding joint activities well beyond the lifetime of the project.
Type of output: Strategies and action plans
In development

Wildfire CE

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Project on social media

Project Contacts

Project Manager

Milan Pátek
Phone: +49 351 564 50441

Finance Manager

Peter Just
Phone: +4935156450446

Communication Manager

Mojca Premrl
Phone: +386 (0)5 36 59 101