The implementation of SEMEDFIRE’s planned actions and tasks continued in March 2025, with the 5th Hands-On Training and 1st Field Exercise and the visit of fire management experts from the Pau Costa Foundation, in Cyprus.
The Department of Forests of the Republic of Cyprus and the Excellence in Innovation and Technology Research Centre of the European University in Cyprus, CERIDES, issued a joint press release for the pilot application of prescribed burning for forest fire prevention and biodiversity conservation, that took place in a forest area of Cyprus.
Pilot Application of Prescribed Burning for Forest Fire Prevention and Biodiversity Conservation
The Department of Forests of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment with SEMEDFIRE’s project co-coordinator and twinning organisation EUC-CERIDES, carried out, for the first time, a prescribed burning application in a forest area of Cyprus, taking all necessary safety measures, under the supervision of experts from Cyprus and abroad. This action was implemented by EUC-CERIDES in collaboration with the Department of Forests, in the framework of the pilot implementation of an innovative fuel management tool for the prevention and treatment of forest fires.
Prescribed burning, an internationally recognised practice implemented with strict safety protocols, was part of the deliverables of the SEMEDFIRE, South-Eastern Mediterranean Excellence in Fire Science project, co-funded by Horizon Europe and under the auspices of the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Dr Maria Panayiotou.
The training of the technique in prescribed burning was carried out by one for the Advanced Partners of SEMEDFIRE, Pau Costa Foundation, an internationally recognised organisation specialised in this practice, not only for forest fire prevention purposes but also for biodiversity conservation purposes, especially in abandoned rural areas through strategic management plans.
The abandonment of the countryside has led to the accumulation of a large volumes of fuel. Particularly vulnerable are mountainous and semi-mountainous woodland communities, where there is an increased risk of large fires, threatening human lives, infrastructure and the natural environment. Prescribed burning can be a valuable tool for Cyprus, as it allows the safe and controlled removal of this hazardous material, significantly reducing the risk of fire spread and enhancing the overall fire protection of forest and rural areas.
Prescribed burning is governed by very strict meteorological, environmental and organisational parameters and protocols, which have been delivered to the Department of Forests for further training and the safe and effective application of the specific practice.
As per the joint announcement, the Department of Forests points out that it will continue to apply this method on the basis of protocols and guidelines. This method will be integrated into the overall fire protection strategy, enhancing the existing prevention and management measures of the forest areas of Cyprus, as well as maintaining and improving the ecological balance.
The SEMEDFIRE project concludes its works in November 2025 and remaining planned actions include one more Hands-On Training and Field Exercises in Nimes, France in May 2025, organised by the French Advanced Partners from the General Directorate for Civil Protection and Crisis Management of the French Ministry of Interior (DGSCGC) and Nimes Metropole.
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