ARCFUEL

Effective forest fire (FF) management requires knowledge of Fuel Classification Maps (FCMs), which are not widely available in Mediterranean countries. The ArcFUEL project aimed to deliver, for the Mediterranean region, a complete, up-to-date, methodology for Fuel Classification Mapping (FCM). This would be made available on a Web-Geodatabase and it would use ‘readily available’ harmonised, accessible and interoperable data, according to INSPIRE principles.

All ArcFUEL project objectives were achieved resulting in an updated geospatial methodology and workflow for the production of FCMs in Europe. ArcFUEL capitalised on research conducted by the European Joint Research Centre (JRC). The project used a standardised JRC fuel-type classification scheme for European forest regions, and its FCMs (resolution 250mx250m for 42 types of fuels [250x250x42]). Based on the JRC classification, ArcFUEL developed an ‘add-on’ methodology and workflow (with the use of freely available European spatial datasets and Landsat TM images) for the production of FCMs. This methodology was then tested and demonstrated in four Mediterranean countries, which led to FCMs being developed for Greece and Portugal at national scale and Italy (Calabria and Sardinia) and Spain (Malaga, Cordoba). The quality of the mapping was validated against field data. Stakeholder inputs helped the methodology’s development and associated workflow. Field visits (‘Ground Truth Surveys’) were performed at the pilot areas to verify / validate the results of the methodology. Project results were presented to interested stakeholders during the final workshop of the project. A mobile (Android) application was developed – freely available on the project website. Many other dissemination activities were implemented and recorded via the website.