Council Recommendation on Integrated Wildfire Management recognises the role of FoRISK in strengthening European cooperation

Santiago Alarcón on July 9, 2026

FoRISK welcomes the adoption of the Council Recommendation on Integrated Wildfire Management on 29 June 2026, which identifies FoRISK among the initiatives to foster international cooperation on integrated wildfire risk management.

The Recommendation follows the publication by the European Commission in March 2026 of the Communication on Integrated Wildfire Risk Management, which set out a comprehensive approach to cover the whole risk management cycle of prevention, preparedness, response and recovery across Europe.

In the Council Recommendation, Article 41 in the section on Measures to Strengthen International Engagement states:

“Member States should further collaborate with Forest Europe and its newly established Forest Risk Facility (FoRISK) and cooperate [ …] to promote capacity building and knowledge exchange on integrated wildfire risk management.”

This reference recognises FoRISK as a key initiative in the pan-European region supporting cooperation, knowledge exchange and capacity building on forest risks management, such as wildfires, windstorms, pests and diseases.

FoRISK goals are to enhance and maintain the resilience of forests and the forest sector within sustainable forest management, and to support forest adaptation to changing conditions to future forest disturbances, by creating a proactive, long-term network through international collaboration and cross-disciplinary knowledge exchange.

Wildfires are among the most pressing manifestations of the above-mentioned challenges, exacerbated by climate change. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of forest disturbances across the pan-European region, proactive and effective risk management requires coordinated action across sectors, disciplines and national borders. FoRISK contributes to this objective by facilitating and supporting the exchange of knowledge and good practices and helping translate scientific evidence into practical and policy-relevant solutions.

FoRISK remains committed to supporting pan- European countries and stakeholders in strengthening integrated forest risk management and contributing to resilient forests and resilient societies across the region.

Read the full text of the Council Recommendation.

Launching FoRISK-FOEN Factsheet 1: Building Fire‑Resilient Forests in the Alps

Santiago Alarcón on June 10, 2026

FoRISK is pleased to present the first in a two-part factsheet series on wildfire management, developed by expert members of the FoRISK network in collaboration with FOEN/BAFU (Swiss Federal Office of the Environment).


Titled “Wildfire Prevention in the Alpine Region: Fire‑Resilient Forest Management in Switzerland,” this publication examines how Alpine forests are becoming increasingly exposed to wildfire risk, and why proactive approaches are essential.
Rather than aiming to eliminate fire entirely, the factsheet introduces a different perspective: the need to manage and coexist with fire in more resilient landscapes.


What should we know about wildfire risk in Switzerland?


Wildfires are becoming a risk throughout the country. Climate change is altering the frequency and intensity of wildfire events in mountain regions. What were once rare occurrences are becoming more frequent, signalling that wildfires must now be treated as a growing risk for Alpine ecosystems and communities.


Sustainable forest management is a powerful prevention tool


Although weather and terrain cannot be controlled, the factsheet highlights that forest structure, composition, and fuel characteristics can be actively shaped. This places sustainable forest management at the centre of wildfire prevention, with the potential to influence how wildfires start, spread, and impact landscapes.


Prevention depends on coordinated, long-term actions


Addressing wildfire risk requires more than emergency response. The factsheet underscores the importance of cross-sector collaboration, informed forest management practices, and sustained efforts over time to build resilience and reduce impacts.


These messages offer only a snapshot of a broader framework presented in the factsheet, which combines scientific insights with practical considerations for implementation. The full publication provides a more detailed look at the principles, measures, and strategic approaches behind fire‑resilient forest management in Alpine contexts.


Read the Factsheet here:

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Stay tuned for the release of the second publication in this series.