Projects
FirEUrisk
Developing a holistic, risk-wise strategy for European wildfire management
Referência: Horizon 2020 Grant agreement 101003890.
Acronim: FirEUrisk
Start date: 2021-04-01 End date: 2025-04-01
Description: FirEUrisk is a European Research project aiming to develop an integrated science-based strategy, aggregating knowledge on risk assessment, risk reduction and risk adaptation to tackle the risk of extreme wildfires in Europe. Such fires often lead to loss of human lives, natural resources and economic assets. Their frequency and severity are increasing continuously due to climate change. To manage this situation, it is necessary to assess the biophysical background as well as the socioeconomic conditions in the areas prone to wildfires. That is why FirEUrisk involves a variety of actors from different sectors spanning from first responders and researchers to insurance companies, policy makers and citizens.
Firelogue
Cross-sector dialogue for Wildfire Risk Management
Reference: Horizon 2020 Grant agreement 101036534
Acronim: Firelogue
Start date: 2021-11-01 End date: 2025-10-31
Description: In line with increasing demands for more public participation, transparency and fairness in risk management institutions and procedures, FIRELOGUE aims to coordinate and support the Innovation Actions (IAs) by integrating their findings across stakeholder groups and fire management phases. It therefore builds on different formats to process the existing WFRM knowledge and innovations as developed by the IAs to translate them into the FIRELOGUE platform. The FIRELOGUE platform ? together with Communication Booster services such as brokering expertise ? will disseminate the insights and technologies developed by the IAs and integrated by the FIRELOGUE project. In addition to developing dedicated knowledge sharing formats for the exchange between the IAs, FIRELOGUE also aims to (1) deconstruct conflicting (and synergising) aims, interests, mandates, policies and practices existing in WFRM, (2) identify real or perceived injustices linked to these conflicts, (3) provide a space for deliberating on these conflicts and synergies in a just and inclusive way, in order to (4) co-develop integrated strategies to overcome these conflicts. FIRELOGUE builds on an Integrated Systems Thinking approach to bind the IAs together while comprehensively addressing the different components of wildfire risk (hazard, exposure, vulnerability and capabilities ) as well as the diverse natural and socioeconomic drivers of risk. Building on the concept of Just Transition, different notions of justice (distributive, procedural and restorative justice) will form the basis for structuring the discussions within and across the working groups. Collaborative governance will build the conceptual underpinning for designing the dialogue workshops and to eventually co-develop integrated WFRM strategies.
House Refuge
Attitudes and Behaviors for Fire Prevention and Response and Land Management, Including its Collaborative Strand
Reference: PCIF/AGT/0109/2018
Acronim: House Refuge
Start date: 2020-03-01 End date: 2023-01-01
Description: The large wildfires that have been occurring in Portugal show the need for the population to adopt self-protection measures, since in catastrophic scenarios the civil protection agencies may not be able to deal with all distress situations. It is irrefutable that the likelihood of a wildfire reaching an infrastructure is drastically reduced through the implementation of good practices of construction and through proper fuel management practices in the environment. However, the knowledge on these matters is not well consolidated and the legal and normative requirements are not always correctly suited to respond to real situations. In the House-Refuge project we propose to develop scientifically knowledge that allows the general population, professionals in the civil construction and outdoor areas, the legislator and the politicians, among other potential users, to decide on the best construction practices and fuel management policies in the construction surroundings, aiming at the mitigation of the impacts of wildfires on infrastructures. The concept “House-Refuge”, the ultimate purpose of this project, is an infrastructure with a low risk of wildfire allowing people to confidently take refuge inside during a wildfire event.
IMFire
Intelligent Management of Wildfires
Reference: PCIF/SSI/0151/2018
Acronim: IMFire
Start date: 2019-12-01 Ende date: 2022-12-01
Description: Wildfire Decision Support Systems (DSS) are critical tools for civil protection authorities in the management of all wildfire stages, including prevention, planning and combat. They enable the identification of areas prone to wildfire occurrences and can quantify the fire-risk associated. This allows to timely act and apply the necessary preventive measures to reduce the fire danger, in the short and long terms. During a wildfire event, DSS can be used to simulate and predict the fire behavior, allowing the planning and pre-positioning of the firefighting teams, the evacuation of the population from the affected areas, the closing of roads and railways, and the activation of backup systems for the affected infrastructures, including energy, water, communications, and transportation.
The fire behavior simulation tools can also be used to predict the effectiveness of fire suppression actions, to better coordinate and plan such efforts, as part of a risk governance system for wildfires.
The IMfire project proposes the development of a DSS platform capable of improving the current state-of-the-art DSS for wildfires, addressing some of their problems or limitations, as shall be explained next.
Tailor-made wildfire DSS are being used operationally for many regions around the world, for example, the Wildland Fire Decision Support System (WFDSS), built and used in the US, the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System (CWFIS) to support forest fire management across Canada, the Sentinel, used in Australia or the AFIS, used in South Africa. The advantage of having a tailormade solution is that it is calibrated and suited for the specific characteristics of each region, in terms of orology, vegetation, climate, previous occurrences records, firefighting means and legislations, among other factors. However, in some regions, such as Portugal, there is no specific DSS which can perfectly translate the local conditions.
Eye in the Sky
Using High-Altitude Balloons for Decision Support in Wildfire Operations
Reference: PCIF/AGT/0109/2018
Acronim: Eye in the Sky
Start date: 2020-01-15 End date: 2023-01-14
Description:
The Eye in the Sky Project aims at the design and development of an aerial platform to support wildfire operations. The system reinforces the emergency communications network, while providing real-time geo-referenced images from high altitude, allowing the fire perimeter monitoring and detection of hotspots in the burnt area. This information with high spatial and temporal resolution improves situational-awareness, in order to support firefighting operations and the definition of tactics and firefighting strategies. The platform will be composed by a High-Altitude Balloon (HAB) responsible for the rise in altitude of an observation and communication payload to collect and transmit images and to relay communications. The HAB will also carry an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) – flying wing type (glider) – which will be launched from high altitude. Thus, when the HAB moves away from the region of interest, the UAV is released carrying the payloads to the remotely indicated position.
Smokestorm
Predicting and communicating the effects of forest fire smoke
Reference: PCIF/MPG/0147/2019
Acronim: Smokestorm
Start date: 2021-02-02 End date: 2024-02-02
Description:
The main purpose of the SmokeStorm project is to develop, test and operationalize a web platform delivering near-real time smoke dispersion forecasts, as well as user friendly information on the potential effects on human health and visibility, to be used by Portuguese stakeholders. To this purpose, the work is structured into 6 specific tasks: 1) Fire spread and smoke emissions modelling; 2) Smoke dispersion modelling; 3) Smoke dispersion evaluation; 4) Smoke impact; 5) Near-real time web platform and 6) Communication and dissemination.
TransForm
Agenda TransForm - Digital transformation of the forest sector in a resilient, low carbon economy
Reference: PRR 02/C05-i01/2022
Acronim: TransForm
Start date: 2022-07-01 End date: 2025-12-31
Description: The Transform Mobilizing Agenda is created for the digital transformation of forest value chains into a more resilient and low-carbon Portuguese economy. This collaborative project aims to instill some structural transformations in the forest value chain such as: forest management and fire risk reduction; territorial enhancement (low density areas); circular economy practices in forest industries; new digital technologies and forestry equipment; strengthening of markets and consumers; empowerment of people and companies. The consortium, composed of 58 entities, will present 11 new products (biomaterials and bio-products), processes (eco-efficient) and services (specialized). It is expected to generate +44M€ in revenue, 148 new jobs and reduce GHG emissions by 63% by 2027.
(https://recuperarportugal.gov.pt/2022/07/28/transform)
This is a unique national initiative that aims to trigger the structural transformation of the Portuguese forestry sector, intervening in a concerted manner throughout the value chain. It is materialized in 28 collaborative, mobilizing and complementary projects, which will result in new products, processes and services, supported by digital technologies, with a high degree of innovation, which will contribute to a more sustainable forest management and to the improvement of the efficiency of companies, ensuring a greater connection to markets and consumers.
CEIF participates in 2 of the projects, namely:
P1.6 - CENTRODEC. Decision Support Center with Muti-sensory Data for forest protection
P2.5 - Boosting electric motorization in the forestry sector in Portugal
rePLANT
Implementation of collaborative strategies for integrated forest and fire management
Reference: POCI-01-0247-FEDER-046081
Acronim: rePLANT
Start date: 2020-07-01 End date: 2023-06-30
Description: RePLANT is the first operational project from ForestWISE – Collaborative Laboratory for Integrated Forest & Fire Management,which aims to develop research, innovation and knowledge and technology transfer activities to increase sustainable forest management, competitiveness of the Portuguese forest sector and to reduce rural fire impact. The project came from the need to develop integrated and innovative solutions that guarantee the sustainable management of Portuguese forests, caring and protecting them so they can be a source of wealth for people, communities and for the country. One of the main rePLANT goal is to value national forests contributing to an integrated management of forests and fire. RePLANt mobilizes 20 entities, including leading companies in the forest sector and Research & Innovation (I&I) entities, in a common and coordinated effort to implement 8 Collaborative Strategies that will give rise to new Processes, Products and Services – strategic lines. With a performance period of 3 years, it’s a project with a budget of 5.6 million euros, supported in 3.3 million euros by Compete / Portugal 2020, through the Competitiveness and Innovation Operational Program (POCI) and the Lisbon 2020 Operational Program. RePLANT brings a new perspective on integrated forest and fire management, based on scientific and technological knowledge, through the introduction of new, more efficient and intelligent equipment for the forest and with better environmental performance.
SafeFire
Sistema de monitorização humana e ambiental integrado nas fardas dos bombeiro para maior segurança ocupacional
Reference: PCIF/SSO/0163/2019
Acronim: SafeFire
Start Date: 2021-02-01 End date: 2024-01-31
Description: In SafeFire we focus on firefighters' health and performance conditions by proposing innovative approaches integrating physiological and environmental data monitoring, intelligent data analysis, and effective communication mechanisms. The main objectives are to improve firefighters’ health status, prevent hazardous situations, and explore and integrate monitored information to support team management decisions, including team rotations and special needs. We intend to investigate gas, environmental and skin temperature, and signals of clinical relevance for the evaluation of activity patterns (including falls detection and abnormal behaviors), health status, and physical and mental stress. Sensors and acquisition modules will be completely integrated on textile substrates for health monitoring of firefighters.
Safeforest
Semi-autonomous robotic system for forest cleaning and fire prevention
Reference: CENTRO-01-0247-FEDER-045931
Acronim: Safeforest
Start date: 2020-01-30 End date: 2023-02-28
Description: SAFEFOREST deals with the development of innovative prevention of wildland and wildland-urban interface (WWUI) fires, through advanced robotic fire protection prevention activities. The project intends to drastically reduce the costs associated with the maintenance of private or public forests, namely near houses as well as the protection of wide corridors used as fuel breaks and corridors near critical infrastructures (roads, railways, telecommunication lines and antennas, electric utility lines) in order to control and reduce the propagation of large forest fires. The project aims at the development of advanced monitoring and robotic systems to semi-automatically manage the forest fuels in WWUI areas with complex terrain in terms of slope and roughness. The idea is to develop semi-autonomous mobile platforms that can execute a land clearing mission, based on a preliminary mapping of the area, carried out with the support of advanced drone terrain and vegetation monitoring, and manage to remove the redundant vegetation to achieve the necessary fuel breaks cleaning. This objective will be achieved by integration of different sensors on a semi-autonomous all-terrain platform for land clearing in fuel breaks and in WWUI areas, able to perform in perform in most types of terrains. The monitoring of forest conditions by an advanced multi-sensor drone system will support the mapping of the terrain and the identification of the areas
Vespra
European observatory on disaster risk and crisis management best practices
Reference: UCPM-2020-KN-AG 101017776
Acronim: Roadmap
Start date: 2021-01-01 End date: 2022-06-30
Description: Decision-makers in DRM field are often challenged with (sometimes urgent) decisions, while they have to balance between societal pressures and findings from scientific experts. Although the role and activity of hybrid experts, who operate at the hinge between science and decision making both in scientific and policy bodies, is well recognized, the scientists-decision makers nexus still needs to be strengthened. Responding to the Specific Obj. 1 of the call, the ROADMAP project has the main objective to establish a European “Doctrine on disaster risk and crisis management”, funded on the mutual cooperation between scientific communities and DRM authorities. The doctrine, that is intended as a shared understanding of disaster management between decisionmakers and scientific actors, will be based on selected experiences, best practices and implemented solutions in EU Member States.
LIFE Resilient Forests
Coupling water, fire and climate resilience with biomass production from forestry to adapt watersheds to climate change
Reference: LIFE 17 CCA/ES/000063
Acronim: LIFE Resilient Forests
Start date: 2018-10-01 End date: 2022-09-30
Description: The LIFE RESILIENT FORESTS project is about improving the resilience of forests to climate change, enhancing resilience to wildfire, environmental degradation and other climate-induced disturbances. The overall goal is to develop a replicable forest management approach at the watershed scale that can be applied elsewhere across Europe.
MCFire
Measuring the moisture content of forest fuels and assessing their behaviour within the new climate realities
Reference: PCIF/MPG/0108/2017
Acronim: MCFire
Start date: 2001-03-01 End date: 2023-01-31
Description: Based on the model used for the FWI calculation, this project aims to develop a fire risk prediction model taking into account the behaviour of the moisture content of the species present in the Portuguese forest with bearing in mind the new climatic realities. The development is based on measurements of moisture content and meteorological parameters along with laboratory tests. The Measurements of moisture content are carried out in various locations throughout the national territory (Lousã, Faro, Viseu and Viana do Castelo). The taken measurements over the project’s period will create a unique analysis database.
Firestorm
Meteorology and fire storm behavior
Reference: PCIF/GFC/0109/2017
Acronim: Firestorm
Start date: 2019-02-01 End date: 2023-01-31
Description: Ongoing climatic changes have created more frequent drought and heat wave conditions that trigger the occurrence of Extreme Wildfire Events (EWE). The FIRESTORM Consortium will dedicate great attention and effort to disseminate and promote the knowledge developed in the project to the scientific community, to operational bodies, to decision makers and to the public. Besides the usual scientific dissemination indicators we intend to promote activities that will assure that the outcome of the project will reach a wide audience.
Roadmap
European observatory on disaster risk and crisis management best practices
Reference: UCPM-2020-KN-AG 101017776
Acronim: Roadmap
Start date: 2021-01-01 End date: 2022-06-30
Description: Decision-makers in DRM field are often challenged with (sometimes urgent) decisions, while they have to balance between societal pressures and findings from scientific experts. Although the role and activity of hybrid experts, who operate at the hinge between science and decision making both in scientific and policy bodies, is well recognized, the scientists-decision makers nexus still needs to be strengthened. Responding to the Specific Obj. 1 of the call, the ROADMAP project has the main objective to establish a European “Doctrine on disaster risk and crisis management”, funded on the mutual cooperation between scientific communities and DRM authorities. The doctrine, that is intended as a shared understanding of disaster management between decisionmakers and scientific actors, will be based on selected experiences, best practices and implemented solutions in EU Member States.