Request for Specialists: Improvement of Wildfire Management System within North Macedonia
In a bid to bolster North Macedonia's defence against the growing threat of climate change-driven wildfires, the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) has launched a new project aimed at enhancing the country's digital forecasting systems.
The Wildfire Information System Enhancement Project, as it is called, seeks to address the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires in North Macedonia, with forest fire damage growing from 11.5 square kilometres in 2014 to 114.2 square kilometres in 2021. The project is expected to improve the country's preparedness by providing technical assistance and developing new modules for the MKFFIS (North Macedonia's forest fire information system).
The CTCN is currently soliciting experts to contribute to this project, with the deadline for applications set for 19 May, 2025. The project's objectives include the development of implementation planning and communications documents, demonstration of potential modules, and specification of useful information to be included.
In addition to enhancing the system's forecasting and decision-making capabilities, the project aims to improve mapping of fire hazards and assessments of fire damage. The project also places emphasis on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) measures, taking into account the implications for women and vulnerable groups.
The Wildfire Information System Enhancement Project aligns with ongoing advisory efforts by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) supporting sustainability and monitoring in North Macedonia. The project will also include training and capacity building to ensure effective use of the upgraded system.
For those interested in learning more about the project, it can be found on the UN Global Market Place (UNGM) or the UN website. It is also recommended to check official government websites of relevant ministries, such as the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning or the National Crisis Management Center, for updates on environment and disaster risk management. Additionally, searching UNDP and other international organizations’ country pages for North Macedonia may provide further insights.
It is worth noting that, while this specific project has not been widely publicised, large-scale wildfire response exercises have been conducted in neighbouring Albania, involving institutional readiness and inter-agency coordination with support from international organisations like the UNDP.
As climate change contributes to longer fire seasons, greater intensity, and expanded burn areas in North Macedonia, with UNEP warning that wildfire frequency could rise by 50% by 2100, the need for such projects becomes increasingly urgent. With the Wildfire Information System Enhancement Project, North Macedonia takes a significant step towards ensuring a more resilient future in the face of this growing threat.
This project, titled the Wildfire Information System Enhancement Project, is developing new modules for MKFFIS (North Macedonia's forest fire information system) to improve environmental-science-based forecasting and decision-making, especially in relation to climate-change-driven wildfires. The project also focuses on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) measures, using technology to enhance fire hazard mapping and fire damage assessment, while considering the unique impacts on women and vulnerable groups.
