engleski

Holistic Approach to Forest Fire Protection in Split and Dalmatia County of Croatia

The paper describes the holistic approach to forest fire protection in Split and Dalmatia County. This model, unique in Republic Croatia, has been started in 2003. and it is now in its realisation phase. The model integrates not only various, technical and non-technical forest fire preventive measures, but also the long-term energy supply based on Biomas-Solar-LPG district heating and tourism and recreation. It is particularly suitable for big Dalmatian islands like Brac, Hvar and Vis. In summer seasons the Adriatic islands and coast are exposed to high and very high fire risks due to density – spaced conifer forests. 2003. fire season was particularly sever, when direct and indirect damage in this county was estimated at the level of 16 and 60 mil € respectively. In autumn 2003. the county authorities has initiated the work on the new and integral fire protection model which includes different techniques and methods in order to establish holistic and financially self sustained fire protection system. Our approach is based on three topics, trying to integrate technical fire protection measures, economic use of biomass, tourism and recreation: (a) advanced forest fire monitoring system conceived of a network of automatic video surveillance monitoring stations, (b) organised system for collection of forest looping after forest fire thinning and clearing, its chopping and use as a commercial biomass fuel in communal district heating and cogeneration plants and (c) systematic clearance of forest corridors not only as easy access routes for firemans, but also as routes for sport, recreation and village eco-tourism. All these actions are based on planning, and planning without effective information system is not the optimal planning. Because of that special information system for planning fire prevention, early detection of fire, fire fighting management and post-fire planning the recuperation of the burned areas is conceived. As a result of all these activities we hope, not only to have less fires in Dalmatia, but also to initiate a number of direct and spin-off effects, comparing the results to the present-day local economy and the forest fire prevention will become finatialy self susteined.

forest fire protection; holitic approach

nije evidentirano