Požari u prirodi nastaju naglo, šire se nepredvidivo i ostavljaju dugotrajne posljedice. Upravo zato je u Parku prirode Hutovo blato uveden i instaliran novi sustav za upravljanje rizicima od požara.
Sustav je razvijen u sklopu projekta KEEP‑GREEN, financiranog kroz inicijativu FUTURAL (Horizon Europe). Centar za investicije i razvoj poduzetništva (CIRP), u suradnji sa Sveučilištem Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt (AYBU), predstavio je rezultate istraživanja te su instalirni senzori za rano otkrivanje požara u Parku prirode Hutovo blato.
Ovaj inovativni model upravljanja rizicima od požara kombinira GIS AHP analizu, podatke prikupljene dronovima, matematičku optimizaciju i IoT sustave praćenja. Na temelju tih podataka postavljeno je 15 senzora u najkritičnijim zonama Karaotoka i Škrke, čime je uspostavljen sustav ranog upozorenja i dinamičkog praćenja okolišnih uvjeta.
„Za nas u Hutovu blatu ovo je iznimno važno, jer umjesto da se oslanjamo samo na iskustvo ili slučajna opažanja, imamo karte rizika i senzore koji prate uvjete u stvarnom vremenu. To nam daje mogućnost da pravovremeno reagiramo i da bolje zaštitimo prirodne vrijednosti parka. Posebno nam je važno što se ovim sustavom naglašava važnost očuvanja vlažnih staništa i što Hutovo blato dobiva alat koji se može koristiti i u drugim močvarnim područjima jer je replikabilan. Ovo je veliki korak u modernizaciji upravljanja rizicima i očuvanju našeg parka”, izjavila je dr.sc. Irena Rozić, direktorica Parka prirode Hutovo blato.
Postavljeni su senzori koji prate temperaturu, vlagu, CO₂ i tlak u realnom vremenu. Ako se pojave uvjeti koji upućuju na požar, sustav koji je integriran u postojeći čapljinskih vatrogasaca, može odmah poslati upozorenje.
“Ovo nam je praktična pomoć na terenu. Sada imamo jasne podatke gdje su ‘crvene zone’ i gdje požar može najbrže izbiti. Sustav senzora nam omogućava da dobijemo upozorenje prije nego što se vidi dim, što nam daje dragocjeno vrijeme da reagiramo. Umjesto da trošimo resurse nasumično, možemo se usmjeriti na kritična područja i djelovati preventivno. To je velika prednost za sigurnost ljudi i očuvanje Hutova blata”, izjavio je Mate Jurković, šef Vatrogasne postrojbe Grada Čapljine.
Zahvaljujući LoRaWAN komunikacijskoj infrastrukturi, prijenos podataka ostvaruje se na velikim udaljenostima uz nisku potrošnju energije, što podržava tehničku i operativnu održivost sustava. Ove značajke pružaju posebnu prednost za močvarna područja koja su prostrana i teško dostupna.
Studija pokazuje da rizik od požara u Hutovu blatu nije svugdje isti. Najopasnija su područja gdje je: suha vegetacija, niska vlažnost te puno ljudske aktivnosti. Sigurnija su područja uz vodu i tamo gdje je vlažnost visoka.
„Ovim istraživanjem pokazali smo da se rizik od požara u Hutovu blatu može precizno mapirati i pratiti u stvarnom vremenu. Instalacijom senzora u najkritičnijim zonama, Hutovo blato sada ima moderni sustav ranog otkrivanja požara. Naš cilj nije bio samo napraviti znanstvenu studiju, nego stvoriti praktičan alat koji će služiti upravi parka i vatrogascima Čapljine. Hutovo blato je sada primjer kako se inovativne tehnologije mogu koristiti za očuvanje osjetljivih ekosustava i zaštitu lokalne zajednice”, izjavio je dr. Gerceka Budaka, voditelj projektnog tima Sveučilište Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt.
Projekt KEEP‑GREEN donosi konkretne rezultate u zaštiti Hutova blata od požara, povezujući znanstvena istraživanja s praktičnim rješenjima na terenu. Instalirani senzori i razvijeni model predstavljaju važan iskorak u očuvanju prirodnih vrijednosti i sigurnosti lokalne zajednice.
KEEP‑GREEN: A New Model for Wildfire Risk Management in Hutovo Blato
Wildfires ignite suddenly, spread unpredictably, and leave lasting consequences. That is why a new wildfire risk management system has been introduced and installed in Hutovo Blato Nature Park, enabling threats to be detected even before smoke appears.
The system was developed within the KEEP‑GREEN project, funded through the FUTURAL (Horizon Europe) initiative. The Center for Investment and Entrepreneurship Development (CIRP), in cooperation with Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University (AYBU), presented the research results and installed sensors for early fire detection in Hutovo Blato Nature Park.
This innovative model of wildfire risk management combines GIS AHP analysis, drone‑collected data, mathematical optimization, and IoT monitoring systems. Based on these inputs, 15 sensors were installed in the most critical zones of Karaotok and Škrka, establishing an early warning system and dynamic monitoring of environmental conditions.
This innovative model of wildfire risk management combines GIS AHP analysis, drone‑collected data, mathematical optimization, and IoT monitoring systems. Based on these inputs, 15 sensors were installed in the most critical zones of Karaotok and Škrka, establishing an early warning system and dynamic monitoring of environmental conditions.
“For us in Hutovo Blato this is extremely important, because instead of relying only on experience or occasional observations, we now have risk maps and sensors that monitor conditions in real time. This gives us the ability to react promptly and better protect the park’s natural values. It is especially important that this system emphasizes the preservation of wetlands and provides Hutovo Blato with a tool that can be replicated in other wetland areas. This is a major step in modernizing risk management and safeguarding our park,” said Dr. Irena Rozić, Director of Hutovo Blato Nature Park.
The installed sensors monitor temperature, humidity, CO₂, and air pressure in real time. If conditions indicate a potential fire, the system – integrated into the operations of Čapljina’s Fire Department – can immediately send an alert.
“This is practical support in the field. We now have clear data showing where the ‘red zones’ are and where a fire is most likely to break out. The sensor system allows us to receive an alert before smoke is visible, giving us valuable time to respond. Instead of deploying resources randomly, we can focus on critical areas and act preventively. This is a major advantage for the safety of people and the preservation of Hutovo Blato,” stated Mate Jurković, Chief of the Čapljina Fire Department.
Thanks to LoRaWAN communication infrastructure, data transmission is achieved over long distances with low energy consumption, ensuring the technical and operational sustainability of the system. These features are particularly beneficial for wetland areas that are vast and difficult to access.
The study shows that wildfire risk in Hutovo Blato is not uniform. The most dangerous areas are those with dry vegetation, low humidity, and high human activity, while safer zones are located near water and in areas with high moisture levels.
“With this research we demonstrated that wildfire risk in Hutovo Blato can be precisely mapped and monitored in real time. By installing sensors in the most critical zones, Hutovo Blato now has a modern early fire detection system. Our goal was not only to produce a scientific study, but to create a practical tool that serves both the park administration and Čapljina’s firefighters. Hutovo Blato is now an example of how innovative technologies can be applied to protect sensitive ecosystems and safeguard local communities,” emphasized Dr. Gerceka Budaka, project team leader from Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University.
The KEEP‑GREEN project delivers tangible results in protecting Hutovo Blato from wildfires, linking scientific research with practical solutions in the field. The installed sensors and developed model represent a significant step forward in preserving natural values and ensuring the safety of the local community.
"This sub-projed has received funding from the project FUTURAL (Grant Agreement runber: 101083958) through its Open Call, funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme”
Financirano od strane Europske unije. Stavovi i mišljenja izraženi ovdje isključivo su stavovi autora te ne odražavaju nužno stavove Europske unije ili Europske izvršne agencije za istraživanja. Europska unija niti tijelo koje dodjeljuje sredstva ne mogu se smatrati odgovornima za njih./Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
