CARTOGRAPHY OF FIRE REGIME AT PARISH SCALE (1980-2017)
The study “Cartography of Regime of Fire at the Scale of the Parish (1980-2017)” by José Miguel Cardoso Pereira and Pedro Cristiano Silva with the collaboration of Inês Melo, Duarte Oom, Giuseppe Baldassarre and Mário G. Pereira was presented, in the online format, on April 29. This study aims to analyze over a period of almost 40 years, the rural fires that occurred in mainland Portugal, grouping their various patterns of occurrence in space and time. The work was also carried out to support the regionalization work that meets what is being achieved in the territory by the National Action Program (PNA).
FUEL MANAGEMENT PLANNING – EFFECT OF DISTANCE AND FREQUENCY OF INTERVENTIONS ON THE PROTECTION OF ROAD STRUCTURES AND NETWORK
The study “Planning of fuel management – Effect of distance and frequency of interventions on the protection of structures and road network”, carried out at the request of AGIF, is authored by ForestWISE – Collaborative Laboratory in partnership with the Center for Forest Fire Studies, Association for the Development of Industrial Aerodynamics and Associated Laboratory of Energy, Transport and Aeronautics aims to support technically and scientifically the review of the management strategies of the Secondary Network of Fuel Management Strips. The study reviews the most current scientific knowledge in terms of the Urban-Forest Interface (IUF) and the impact of fire on communities and structures/infrastructure. It presents several case studies of fires in the urban-forest interface, in countries with realities similar to the Portuguese one, from which numerous lessons can be drawn. It also presents a set of ideas and suggestions on the planning of fuel management along the structures/infrastructures associated with the Secondary Network of Fuel Management Bands, namely with regard to the frequency with which they should be implemented and the most appropriate dimensions. The main criterion that prevailed in the analysis was always the expected behaviour of fire in the vicinity of these structures.
RULES FOR THE BUILT AND SURROUNDING IN RURAL AREAS
The study “Rules for the Built and Surrounding in Rural Territories”, carried out at the request of AGIF, is authored by ForestWISE – Collaborative Laboratory in partnership with the Center for Studies on Forest Fires, Association for the Development of Industrial Aerodynamics and Associated Laboratory of Energy, Transport and Aeronautics it aims to support the definition of public policies that ensure a gradual adaptation of buildings in rural areas, making them more resilient to fire, namely through the proposal of requirements for the revision of the regulations of the different typologies of the built and risk assessment for contracting insurance. This work aims to analyze the typologies of the existing building, identify the materials and constructive elements most vulnerable to radiation and the entry of incandescent particles into buildings, as well as the most cost-effective interventions in reducing the impact on people and goods if a rural fire occurs.
IBERIAN STUDY – PATENTS AND CONTROL OF RURAL FIRES
The study “Patents and control of rural fires”, carried out by the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), together with the Spanish Institute of Patents and Trademarks (OEPM), reveals the most promising technologies (which presents an associated patent document) in the area of fighting and controlling rural fires, revealing the crucial role that, also in this field, Industrial Property assumes in encouraging innovation.
It also makes known the main initiatives and policies adopted in this area in Portugal and Spain. It also includes a chapter dedicated to the opinion of AGIF on the prevention and detection of fires in Portugal, as a Public Institute which is responsible for the integrated analysis, planning, evaluation and strategic coordination of the Integrated Rural Fire Management System, including qualified intervention in high-risk events.
Between 2010 and 2021, 3,137 patent documents or utility models directly related to rural fires were published. Over the past decade, the number of patent applications related to rural fires has steadily increased worldwide. In 2021, 357.66% more patent applications were published worldwide than in 2011. In particular, in the last 5 years, the number of applications has increased at a rapid pace, with Spain being the European Union country that has filed the most patent