The ICOPFIRES fieldtrip will be a Prescribed Fire executed by the GRAF Team (Catalonia Fire Department, Bombers de la Generalitat de Catalunya) at the Collserola Natural Park.
The plot selected is Can Baró at the Coll del Portell (Sant Pere Màrtir), just 10 away from the Barcelona urban area, with great views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea.
During the fieldtrip
The fieldtrip will be divided into several workshops, each one led by technicians of the GRAF Team, Collserola Natural Park, University of Barcelona and Pau Costa Foundation.
The participants will be divided in small groups to attend the different workshops. During the sessions, a short talk about the topics will be given by the organizing staff, but most of the time will be dedicated to open debates among the participants.
Agenda
The plot is located 40 minutes away from the city center. The attendees will take the bus opposite the conference venue, in Plaça Universitat (map), at 9:00 AM.
Overall the duration of the fieldtrip will be between 9:00 and 15:00 approx.: including departure and return to Barcelona city center.
A lunch bag will be provided to the attendees during the fieldtrip.
Workshops topics
- Prescribed fire objectives and organization
- What are the objectives of this prescribed fire?
- Prescribed fires in Catalonia Fire Department, positions, organization, figures, etc.
- Legislation
- Prescribed fire as a forest management tool to prevent wildfires.
- Prescribed fire as a training tool.
- Fire regimes and fire ecology of Collserola Natural Park
- The singularity of Collserola, a natural park at the backyard of Barcelona.
- The natural fire regimes in Collserola Natural Park
- Man-made fire regimes
- Post-prescribed fire effects
- Effects on soil physical properties
- Effects on soil hydrology
- Effects on soil chemical properties
- Effects on fauna and vegetation
- Human dimension and societal acceptance
- The human vision of fire and prescribed fires in Catalonia and Spain.
Practical Recommendations
We recommend wearing boots and comfortable gear: expect short-distance walks through the forest and over burnt areas.
More information about the weather forecast will be provided right before the conference week, however it is recommended wearing a hat and windproof gear. The plot is in an exposed area to sun and sea breeze.
Attendees will NOT BE ABLE to access the burning area during the prescribed fire, therefore PPE is NOT required.
