Based on the above, the technical assistance will aim to develop an additional information module to be incorporated into the MKFFIS to bolster the existing system’s ability to forecast fires and thus inform the development of appropriate countermeasures.
Background
The Republic of North Macedonia (hereafter North Macedonia) has been feeling the negative impacts of climate change, most notably in the increased occurrence of forest and open space fires (wildfires) over the past decade. According to statistics compiled by the national State Statistical Office, damage caused by forest fires increased by 10 times from 11.5 sq. km in 2014 to 114.2 sq. km in 20211. In August 2021, the country declared a state of emergency in response to a wildfire, which had been raging for 16 days at the time when the declaration was issued.
The increasing occurrence of wildfires have been linked to the progression of climate change, as evidenced by lengthening wildfire seasons, fire intensity, and burned area3. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) projects that the frequency of forest fires would rise 50% by 21004. The UNEP emphasized the need for countries to shift policy from reaction and response to prevention and preparedness.
North Macedonia has been strengthening its preparedness to such events by developing digital systems to forecast fire pathways and damages. This technical assistance will augment the system by adding a fire information module(s) to better plan countermeasures to forest fires.
CTCN Support
The key issues that the TA aims to address are as follows:
- Climate change is threatening North Macedonia’s forests and other ecosystem by creating conditions that are conducive to more intense fires that burn for longer periods of time with high intensity.
- North Macedonia has been severely impacted by forest/wildland fires over the past decade; burnt areas are increasing and fires are becoming much more difficult to fight and contain.
- North Macedonia is strengthening its capacity to prepare for forest/ wildland fires risk management. It has already made progress by introducing MKFFIS.
The MKFFIS (existing forest fire (wildfire) information system) requires additional information modules to be more effective in mapping fire hazards and assessing damages.
Based on the above, the technical assistance will aim to develop an additional information module to be incorporated into the MKFFIS to bolster the existing system’s ability to forecast fires and thus inform the development of appropriate countermeasures. The assistance would also include components for capacity building and training to ensure that the officials using the system are familiar with the added functions of the module and are better able to interpret outputs. The proposed project would be in synergy with JICA advisory activities in connection with monitoring and sustainability of the results of the previous project cooperation within which MKFFIS was established.
Expected outcomes
The 3rd National Communication submitted in 2014 mentions the MKFFIS and is directly relevant to the module to be installed through this technical assistance. The Communication notes that the increased occurrence of forest fires would have multi-faceted impact, such as damage to infrastructure, increased GHG emissions, reduced wood supply, and increased frequency of insects and disease outbreaks. In response, North Macedonia has developed the MKFFIS, an early warning system within the framework of the JICA/CMC project entitled “Development of Integrated System for Prevention and Early Warning of Forest Fires”. The system is intended to strengthen the forestry sector by enabling the implementation of prevention and pre-suppression measures, thus leading to decreased forest fires and burned area.
Seeking Experts
The CTCN invites qualified experts and firms to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) to participate in this initiative. For further information on this opportunity, visit the UN Global Market Place (UNGM) or the UN website.
If you are not yet a member of the CTCN Network, you can apply to join here.
