Forest fires have always been a controversial topic in our society. Is fire good or bad? Should it be eliminated? Or do we need to accept fire as part of our ecosystems?
Fire is unique to Earth. The three components of the fire triangle are fuel, such as plants, heat in the form of sparks and oxygen. Humans are the only species that use fire as a tool. It has existed for more than 450 million years – since the first plants – and it has accompanied humankind since before the invent of agriculture. In fact, the very idea of humanity began around fire, around living together. Fire has been used by agricultural societies around the world. It is a natural and cultural part of ecosystems. So, then why, since the onset of urban society, do we see fire as a plague contributing to degradation and even desertification? It is certainly due to a lack of knowledge concerning the role fire plays in the ecosystems. This course will review the advances in scientific understanding of the effects of fire on soils and vegetation, and the monitoring of burned areas. All with the intention of providing a scientific view of the problem of forest fires. We will also cover the current situation of the role of fire in a changing world in terms of climate, economics and society. We aim to give voice to those involved in the governance and management of fire in ecosystems and landscapes that have all been humanised. The course also includes two field visits to the Vall d’Ebo and Pinet to illustrate the reality of the situation through people who live in and visit the forest areas.
This seminar is directed at public administration professionals who participate in territorial planning and the management of forest fires, such as firefighters, administrators, environmental technicians, city council members and government planning employees.
Gandía International Centre of the UV. (C/Tossal, 8. Gandia)
Artemi Cerdà. Department of Geography. Universitat de València
15/07/2024
9:00-9:30 Course introduction Artemi Cerdà. Department of Geography. Universitat de València
9:30-11:30h Fire in the Earth system. A global vision of the impact of fire throughout the history of geology and human society. Artemi Cerdà. Department of Geography. Universitat de València. Soil Erosion and Degradation Research Group. Universitat de València.
11:30 Break
12:00-14:00The impact of fire on the biome Jorge Castro. Desertification Research Centre. Higher Council for Scientific Research. Universitat de València.
16:00- 17:30 Forest fires and climate change. José Manuel Moreno. Spanish Royal Academy of Sciences de España. Former Vice-President of Group II of the International Panel on Climate Change.
16:00-19:00 Regimens for fire, plants, climate change and an uncertain future. Victor Rescos de Díos. Coordinator for the Joint Research Unit of the Forest Technology Centre of Catalonia and Lecturer in Forest Sciences and Global Change at the University of Lleida.
16/07/2024
9:00-9:30 The impact of fires on water resources. Saskia Keesstra. Designer Producer Land Use Transformation Climate-Kic Holding B.V. Netherlands.
10:30-12:00 Fire and its impact on the ground. Artemi Cerdà. Universitat de València. Soil Erosion and Degradation Research Group. Universitat de València.
12:00 Break
12:30-14:00 Management of areas affected by forest fires. Fernando Pulido, Professor at the University of Extremadura.
16:00-17:30 Restoration of areas affected by forest fires. Jorge Castro. University of Granada.
17:30-19:00 Panel discussion: Forrest fire management, prevention, restoration, rehabilitation and research. What can we do about the Valencian mountains? Open speaking time for participants
17/06/2024
9:00-10:30 Forest fires in la Safor. A recurring story. Francisco Escriva. Universitat de València. Soil Erosion and Degradation Research Group. Universitat de València.
10:30-12:00 Forest firefighters. Fermin Poquito. ADENE. President of the Association for the defence of the Enguera Wildlife.
12:00 Break
12:30-14:00 The role of forest management and planning companies in forest fire prevention. Ferran Dalmau. Director of Engineering. Medi XXI - GSA Forestry Engineer.
16:00-17:00 How to put out fires. Past and current debates. Marc Castellnou. Fire Inspector of the Valencian Government. Head of the Forestry Task Force (GRAFO)
17:00-18:00 The role of citizens' associations in the management of forest areas. The case of Asociación Ecologista la Raíz and Acción Ecologista Garceta. Ferran Gandia. Acción Ecologista Garceta.
18:00-19:00 The need for a global understanding of forest fire management The Global Fire Partnership. Saskia Keesstra. Climate-kic, Netherlands
18/07/2024
Visit to the Tarrateig fire site. Soil Erosion and Degradation Research Group. Universitat de València.
