NENFIRE Unites to Tackle Escalating Forest Fire Crisis

In response to the escalating threat of forest fires in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region, the Near East Network on Wildlands and Forest Fire (NENFIRE) held its first coordination meeting on 20 May 2024. The meeting was titled Near East Network on Wildlands and Forest Fire - Enhancing fire management in the NENA region.

Led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), NENFIRE aims to spur regional collaboration and exchange vital information and experiences in forest fire management. The gathering marked a crucial step in addressing the urgent need for collaborative action to mitigate the devastating impact of wildfires and safeguard the region's precious natural resources.

The NENA region faces a perfect storm of challenges contributing to the escalation of forest fires. From the use of fire as a management tool in agriculture and rangelands to public apathy, neglect in fire management, arson, and irresponsible behaviour of tourists and picnickers, the causes are diverse and complex. These factors have led to a significant loss of forested areas each year, exacerbating environmental degradation and threatening biodiversity.

The situation is dire, with forest fires increasing in frequency and severity across many NENA countries. Syria, in particular, has witnessed a relentless assault on its forests, with incidents rising from 199 annual fires in 1990 to 364 in 2005. Similarly, Lebanon faced catastrophic fire outbreaks, with over 300 fires declared in less than 24 hours on 3 October 2007, resulting in the destruction of thousands of hectares of forests and wooded lands.

Despite these challenges, there are success stories emerging from countries that have implemented proactive measures to combat forest fires. Tunisia, for example, saw a significant decrease in the forest area destroyed by fire from 1,375 hectares in 2000 to 98 hectares in 2009. Jordan also experienced a reduction in the forest area affected by fire, declining from 133 hectares in 1993 to 62 hectares in 2002.

The NENFIRE coordination meeting provided a platform for frank discussions on the root causes of forest fires and the urgent need for collaborative action. Participants exchanged insights and experiences, identifying key priorities for scaling up efforts in fire management, securing necessary financing, and enhancing capacities to respond effectively to forest fires.

The agenda covered a wide range of topics crucial to addressing the forest fire crisis. Opening remarks set the tone for the meeting, emphasizing the importance of collective action. Presentations delved into the role and future of NENFIRE, highlighting the need for integrated fire management approaches, as well as the status of fire and its management in the Near East. During the facilitated discussion, Ms Fidaa Haddad explored top priorities for scaling up efforts in fire management, concrete actions, and financing required to strengthen the network's role. Her insights prompted valuable contributions from the Moroccan focal point, Mr Hicham Mharzi Alaoui, who presented a new Integrated Fire Management (IFM) strategy currently being implemented in Morocco with FAO's support.

The meeting also addressed how NENFIRE and FAO can assist countries more effectively in enhancing their capacities in fire management to attain global forest goals and targets. The role of NENFIRE in the Global Fire HUB meeting in Rome was highlighted, emphasizing the network's importance on the global stage.

This coordination meeting served as a crucial milestone in the collective effort to combat the escalating forest fire crisis in the NENA region. Moving forward, sustained collaboration and concerted action will be essential in building resilience and protecting the region's invaluable natural heritage.