Austria Fire Futures Final Stakeholder Workshop

Funded by the Klima und Energiefonds, the Austria Fire Futures (AFF) project was launched in 2022 to better understand how climate change, forest structures, and human activities influences the wildfire occurrence in Austria. The projects leaders, IIASA, BOKU University, and BFW, presented the results of the project including a high-resolution fire danger maps, tourism-related risk assessments, and management and policy recommendations to support Austria’s adaptation to an increasingly fire-prone future. The workshop brought together a broad network of stakeholders, including Representatives from IUFRO, Austrian Federal Forests, Tourism Association, Fire Department, WIFO, and several regional authorities. 

While Austria has not traditionally faced large-scale wildfires, recent years have shown a rising trend in both fire frequency and burned area. Rising temperatures, prolonged dry periods, and more intensive recreational use of forests are amplifying risks even in previously low-risk regions. Model projections indicate that, without targeted prevention and adaptation, wildfire activity will continue to increase toward the end of the century, with western Carinthia, Tyrol, and Burgenland emerging as key hotspots. 

A major innovation of AFF lies in its integration of human and socioeconomic factors into fire risk assessments. Researchers from BOKU analyzed over 80 variables including visitor density, recreation infrastructure, and population proximity to evaluate the role of human activity in fire ignition. Field studies and surveys conducted in the Rax–Schneeberg region revealed that although public awareness of wildfire danger has grown, many recreationists still underestimate their contribution to ignition risk. Cigarette disposal, unauthorized campfires, and limited understanding of fire bans remain significant challenges in high-traffic hiking areas. 

The AFF project not only produced innovative scientific results but also translated them into practical tools for prevention and decision-making. Its outputs are being integrated into www.waldbrand.at, a wildfire risk portal allowing forest managers, authorities, and the public to access updated maps and danger assessments. The project’s hotspot maps help identify areas where preparedness and resources should be prioritized. This also supports the development of scenario-based planning for forest management, tourism, and infrastructure development in high-risk regions. 

Building on the project results and discussions, the project consortium calls for stronger coordination between sectors, better early warning systems, and targeted education to raise awareness about human-caused ignitions. Integrating wildfire risk into land-use and forest planning will be essential, ensuring that high-risk areas are managed with preventive measures such as buffer zones and selective thinning.