On Wednesday 18 December, the III Interlumes International Forest Fire Congress hosted a FIRE-RES workshop centered on addressing the increasing threat of extreme wildfire events. Integrated into a cross-border cooperation conference between Galicia and Portugal, this event brought together leading experts and local authorities to discuss the challenges posed by these dangerous and unpredictable fires and explore innovative solutions.

COMPLEMENTARY PERSPECTIVES
The day-long workshop aimed at first defining the problem with a focus on the growing threat of extreme fires in rural, dispersed areas of Galicia. The reflection began with David Caballero Valero (forestry engineer and fire specialist at Meteogrid) shedding light on the growing risk posed by extreme forest fires in the urban-forest interface. He emphasized how these fires could significantly impact rural populations, particularly in Galicia’s dispersed landscape. Caballero called for urgent attention to this pressing issue.
The conversation then moved onto the formulation of possible solutions, featuring an intervention by Sergio Giacomo Pirone (Brigadier General and director of the Advanced Training Center for Civil Protection and Mountain Forest Fires in Turin, Italy) focused on training and equipping operatives. Pirone underscored the importance of specific knowledge and effective personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure safety and efficiency in tackling extreme wildfires. His presentation demonstrated how preparedness and education are key to successful fire management.
