The Karst Firewall 5.0 project has reached an important milestone. On Tuesday, 27 May 2025, the InfoPoint Centre in Sistiana, Municipality of Duino–Aurisina, hosted the first cross-sectoral conference, bringing together key stakeholders in efforts to reduce the risk of wildfires in the cross-border Karst area. The event highlighted the vital importance of collaboration between science, local communities, and competent authorities in addressing the growing challenges of climate change.
First Results: From Scientific Analyses to Policy Recommendations
The conference was organized following the completion of four of the project’s technical outputs: an assessment of the impact of climate change on the area, an analysis of wildfire vulnerability, the development of predictive algorithms, and the drafting of policy recommendations. Project experts and scientific partners presented their initial findings, which will serve as a foundation for more effective wildfire prevention and response in the future.
Cross-Border Cooperation in Practice
The Mayor of Duino–Aurisina and the Vice-Rector of IUAV University opened the event, emphasizing the significance of cross-border cooperation in protecting the fragile Karst environment. The programme included presentations on wildfire hazard and vulnerability analyses, an introduction to the innovative predictive wildfire model, and a concluding discussion, which provided an opportunity for project partners, public authorities, firefighters, civil protection services, foresters, and other stakeholders to exchange ideas and experiences.
Special attention was given to practical expertise. Prior to the official start of the conference, a participatory workshop was held for Slovenian and Italian foresters. Their field experience will make a valuable contribution to the project’s next steps and will be incorporated into future analyses.
Bilingualism, Accessibility, Concreteness
The event, held in a bilingual format (Slovenian–Italian) with simultaneous interpretation, took place exclusively in person and attracted numerous participants. The outcomes of this meeting will serve as a basis for further work to enhance the safety and resilience of the Karst landscape, which is increasingly threatened by climate change.
With this event, the Karst Firewall 5.0 project reaffirms its role as a vital platform for connecting science, expertise, and communities in the protection of the natural and cultural heritage of the Karst region.
