Landscape Fire Risk Assessment in the FBiH, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Landscape fire risk in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) is governed by a legal framework established under the Law on Protection and Rescue from Natural and Other Disasters. Risk assessments are developed by the Federal Administration of Civil Protection, and these assessments provide the foundation for planning and preparedness at both cantonal and municipal levels.
Institutional and Legal Framework:
- As of the most recent assessment (2014), 9 out of 10 cantons have adopted laws on fire protection and risk assessment, while 6 cantons have formal fire protection plans.
- At the municipal level, 56 municipalities have adopted fire risk assessments and 50 have adopted full fire protection plans.
| Cantonal Adoption Overview | Fire Risk Assessment | Fire Protection Plan |
| Cantons with adopted plans | 9 | 6 |
| Municipalities with adopted plans | 56 | 50 |
Forestry Sector Fire Preparedness:
Cantonal forestry companies and directorates are legally mandated to develop forest fire protection plans, including:
- Fire vulnerability mapping (Levels I–IV based on risk points)
- Formation and training of emergency forest fire teams
- Maintenance of firebreaks and hydrants
- Public education campaigns on prevention and penalties
- Silvicultural and technical measures for risk reduction
| Fire Risk Level | Description | Points Threshold |
| Level I | Very High Risk | 480+ |
| Level II | High Risk | 381–480 |
| Level III | Medium Risk | 281–380 |
| Level IV | Low Risk | <280 |
The establishment of a federation-wide fire threat map based on canton-level assessments is essential for coordinated planning and prevention.
Fire-Prone Zones in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Five key fire-prone zones have been identified based on environmental, climatic, and human factors:
- Low Herzegovina
Mediterranean influence; high summer temperatures (up to 27 °C); includes Mostar, Neum, Popovo Polje. - High Herzegovina
Karst landscapes and mountains; dry summers, up to 40 °C; includes Čapljina, Konjic, Livno. - Centre
Mountainous terrain over 1,500 m (e.g., Jahorina, Bjelašnica); moderate summers and cold winters. - West
High karst plateaus and descending landscapes; Livanjsko, Kupreško, Glamočko fields; influenced by both mountain and continental climates. - North
Moderate continental climate; regions include Semberija, Posavina, and around Gradiška and Derventa.
Map 5 visualizes these five zones and supports fire planning and risk assessment across different ecological regions.
Fire-prone areas: Niska Hercegovina (Low Herzegovina), Visoka Hercegovina (High Herzegovina), Centar (Centre), Zapad (West) and Sjever (North), (Source of data: Study – Extinguishing Forest Fires in BiH, 2014
The last official fire risk assessment in the FBiH was conducted in 2014. Since then, evolving climate conditions, land use changes, and socio-economic factors have significantly altered the fire landscape. The absence of a current, high-resolution landscape fire risk map presents a major gap in disaster preparedness.
Such a map would:
- Enable decision-makers to target high-risk areas
- Guide strategic investments in fire prevention
- Improve coordination between cantonal and national institutions
Ongoing Projects Supporting Fire Risk Reduction
Several active projects aim to strengthen fire risk management through institutional capacity building, technology development, and community engagement:
- Joint Action to Reduce Forest Fire Risk (2023–2024)
- Implementor: Forestry and Environmental Action (FEA)
- Donor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway (SMART Balkan programme)
- Outputs: Interactive GIS map of fire susceptibility, roadmap for risk reduction
- Building Capacities for DRR through NFFIS & Eco-DRR (2024–2029)
- Donor: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
- Beneficiaries: Ministry of Security, Civil Protections of FBiH and RS, Brčko District
- Activities: Development of a National Forest Fires Information System (NFFIS), Joint Coordinating Committee, awareness campaigns