FIRE-BOX, the project coordinated by the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of Milan to improve knowledge and management of wildfire risk in Italy, has now concluded. All the results, technical reports, databases and maps produced by the project are available in the website\u2019s Results and Deliverables section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FIRE-BOX developed a toolbox based on harmonised data and scientific models to support public authorities, protected-area managers, practitioners and researchers in wildfire prevention and land-use planning. Its main outputs include a national classification of vegetation fuels, accompanied by data sheets, sampling protocols and a dedicated database. This work led to the development of national maps of fuel types and fuel models, essential tools for simulating fire behaviour and spread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The project also created a national database of fires that occurred between 2007 and 2024, linking each event to meteorological information, fire danger indices, vegetation burn severity and emission estimates. Using harmonised criteria, the database makes it possible to reconstruct where, when and under what conditions fires occurred, providing a common basis for analysis and comparison at the national level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The third component focused on fire simulation and risk-assessment tools. FIRE-BOX developed a WebGIS application, accompanied by a user guide, that provides access to the data and models produced by the project. The project also assessed wildland\u2013urban interface exposure and wildfire risk in six Italian national parks. An atlas and a collection of maps covering hazard, vulnerability, exposure and risk are available for these areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The data, methods and tools will remain available to support further research, update wildfire management plans and identify more precisely where prevention measures should be prioritised. FIRE-BOX was coordinated by the University of Milan and involved the University of Turin, the University of Bari Aldo Moro and the Institute of BioEconomy of the Italian National Research Council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n