Analysis of Landscape Fire Management (LFM) System:
Weaknesses:
- A significant number of landscape fires result from human negligence, such as burning agricultural waste.
- Weak coordination among entities responsible for forest fire protection.
- Inadequate material and technical equipment for fire protection.
- Lack of awareness about the importance of forest fire protection.
- Limited access in large forested areas due to inadequate road networks.
- Shortage of manpower for both preventive and repressive fire protection measures.
- Insufficient communication and collaboration among stakeholders in the field.
- Challenges in protecting privately-owned forests, including fragmented ownership and outdated cadastral data.
Preventive Measures:
- Forest users must monitor forest conditions and vulnerability to natural disasters.
- The Law on Forests mandates the preparation of Forest Fire Protection Plans.
- Prohibition of open fires in forests and nearby areas.
- Forest users maintain firefighting teams and monitoring services.
- Forest order is established to prevent disturbances in forest ecosystems.
Preparedness:
- Strengthening firefighting unit capacities and technical equipment.
- Transition to a unified emergency call number (Number 112 for emergency calls).
- Creation of the Disaster Risk Register, offering real-time data for crisis response.
Suppressive Measures:
- The Department of Emergency Situations has over 3,000 members ready for various emergencies, including fires.
- Technical equipment and member numbers defined by the Law on Fire Protection.
- Professional firefighting associations exist to aid in fire protection.
Post-Fire Management:
- Monitoring and assessment of post-fire forest scars using satellite data.
- Obligation for forest owners/users to rehabilitate fire-affected areas.
- Rehabilitation plans are adopted to address fire consequences.
Economic Impact:
- Weather-dependent sectors account for a significant share of the gross national income.
- Forest fires have caused substantial damage and rehabilitation costs.
In summary, landscape fire management in Serbia faces weaknesses in coordination, equipment, awareness, and manpower. Preventive measures, preparedness, and suppression are essential components of the system, with ongoing efforts to improve emergency response and data management. The economic impact of weather-dependent sectors and forest fires underscores the importance of effective landscape fire management.