Tag: alpine

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:

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