An international study visit will be held in Coimbra, Portugal, from 25 to 27 February 2026, as part of FIRESAFENET, which is co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg VI-A Italy–Slovenia Programme. The FIRESAFENET initiative aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation between Italy and Slovenia in wildfire risk prevention, preparedness and response by fostering exchange and coordination among operational actors, institutions and research organisations.
The activity is organised by ISIG – International Sociological Institute of Gorizia in collaboration with the Forest Fire Research Centre (CEIF) of the Association for the Development of Industrial Aerodynamics (ADAI), at the University of Coimbra. CEIF is a branch of ADAI and is closely linked to the Department of Mechanical Engineering (DEM) at the Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra (FCTUC). CEIF/ADAI is primarily dedicated to applied research on wildfires and wildland–urban interface (WUI) fires and, since 1990, has been developing multidisciplinary activities focused on analysing, understanding, applying and disseminating knowledge on wildfire dynamics and risk management.
The study visit will bring together representatives from project partners and a wide range of operational, institutional and research stakeholders. Participants include first responders from the Italy–Slovenia cross-border area, Italian and Slovenian fire brigades and associations (Nova Gorica Fire Brigade, Slovenian Firefighters Association, Italian National Fire Department), the Italian State Forestry Corps, municipal and regional civil protection authorities (Municipality of Ajdovščina, Municipality of Monfalcone, Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia – Regional Civil Protection), and researchers from the University of Trieste (Department of Engineering and Architecture) and ISIG. These participants will contribute expertise in governance, institutional cooperation and social dimensions of wildfire risk management. A representative of the Slovenian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food will also take part in the visit.
Among the key contributors are AGIF – Integrated Rural Fire Management and ICNF – Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests, two central actors of the Portuguese wildfire risk management system, which will present the national integrated approach to wildfire prevention, preparedness and response.
The agenda comprises the following activities:
February 25th – A laboratory-based training session at CEIF/ADAI’s Forest Fire Research Laboratory, focusing on fire behaviour, fire safety, wildland–urban interface (WUI) fires and relevant case studies.
February 26th – A full-day field trip featuring visits to areas affected by large fire events, fire prevention projects and communities implementing self-protection systems.
February 27th – A hybrid seminar session (cf. agenda below), dedicated to presenting wildfire management systems in Slovenia, Italy and Portugal, followed by a round table discussion. This activity will be open to the public, either in person or via Zoom, but registration is required:
In-person registration: https://tally.so/r/J9AzLX
Online registration:https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oCBcaouBSoKuAe1tDDCBCA
The study visit represents a key activity of the FIRESAFENET project, facilitating the exchange of operational, scientific and institutional experience and strengthening cross-border cooperation in wildfire prevention and response.
