On June 18, the Vidzeme Planning Region organized a regional stakeholder meeting in Cēsis, Latvia, within the framework of the CLIMATE project. The event brought together representatives from forestry, emergency services, environmental authorities, municipalities, and volunteer organizations to discuss the increasing forest fire risks in the region caused by climate change.
The meeting featured active discussions and included a workshop session, where participants collaboratively explored key challenges and potential improvements in forest fire prevention in the context of climate change.
During the discussions, participants shared experiences related to operational coordination and public awareness. The exchange emphasized the importance of inter-institutional cooperation, long-term planning, and enhanced technical capacities—highlighting the role of drones, monitoring systems, and predictive tools in improving preparedness and response. Special attention was given to the value of timely and accurate data, a point strongly reinforced during the CLIMATE project’s knowledge exchange visit in Helsinki, where monitoring systems were identified as a critical component of effective risk management.
The meeting concluded with a practical demonstration by the State Fire and Rescue Service, showcasing key firefighting equipment and operational capabilities. This hands-on session complemented earlier discussions by providing a tangible look at current response tools.
Insights gathered throughout the day will support the development of more effective policies and cooperation mechanisms to strengthen climate resilience and preparedness in the Vidzeme region.
