Waldbrandprävention im Kanton Graubünden | Forest fire prevention in Canton Grisons

Thanks to fast alarm systems and modern fire-fighting equipment most forest fires can be extinguished while still very small. Nevertheless, the fire brigade and forest organisations in the Grisons are recurringly confronted with larger fires. Over the past twenty years the Grisons Forestry Service and the fire section of the cantonal Building Insurance Company have invested in fire prevention and improved fire-fighting techniques. To monitor and assess the risk of forest fires, the computer-aided forest fire forecasting system “Incendi” was developed. On its basis, regional forest fire risk maps are drawn up and bans on the lighting of fires are imposed. For use in case of fire, the Forestry Service has drawn up maps of the whole Canton Grisons showing water supply points in and near the forest. Where there are gaps in the water supply, artificial water sources are being created. Fifteen years ago a concept of forest fire-fighting bases was elaborated. The most important elements of this concept are the 18 regional depots of mobile fire-fighting material, which in case of emergency can be transported where needed. The present-day administrative structures and the precautionary measures taken in the Grisons fulfil the conditions for efficient forest fire prevention and control.