A Web Based Geospatial Framework for Forest Fire Information and Climate Change Adaptation

A Web Based Geospatial Framework for Forest Fire Information and Climate Change Adaptation | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article A Web Based Geospatial Framework for Forest Fire Information and Climate Change Adaptation Perparim Ameti, Ymer Kuka, Besim Ajvazi This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8745216/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Climate change is significantly altering forest fire regimes through rising temperatures, prolonged drought periods, and changes in vegetation dynamics, leading to increased fire frequency, intensity, and spatial extent. These developments pose serious challenges for forest management, ecosystem protection, and human safety, particularly in small and developing countries with limited institutional and technical capacity. In this context, forest fire information systems play a central role in climate change adaptation by supporting systematic data collection, spatial analysis, and evidence-based decision making. This paper examines the National Forest Fire Information System as Kosovo’s national Web based geospatial platform for forest fire information management and evaluates its contribution to climate change adaptation. The study adopts a system oriented and literature grounded approach, combining analysis of system architecture, data management, and visualization capabilities with insights from international research on geospatial information systems, forest fire management, and early warning frameworks. The analysis focuses on how centralized Web based geospatial platforms can support long term monitoring of fire patterns, enhance situational awareness, and provide a foundation for adaptive risk management under changing climatic conditions. The results show that the National Forest Fire Information System provides essential functionality for centralized storage of forest fire records, interactive spatial visualization, and historical analysis of fire events. At the same time, the study identifies opportunities to strengthen its role in climate adaptation through improved analytical integration, interoperability with environmental data sources, and enhanced support for strategic planning. The paper demonstrates that national Web based geospatial platforms can function as critical components of climate adaptation strategies by transforming operational fire information into long term knowledge for adaptive forest fire risk management. geoinformation systems webgis forest fire risk early warning systems climate change adaptation Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 1 Introduction Climate change has emerged as a major driver of increasing forest fire risk across many regions of the world, altering fire regimes through rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and changes in vegetation patterns. Numerous studies have documented that climate induced shifts in fuel availability and moisture conditions are leading to more frequent, larger, and more severe forest fires, with significant impacts on ecosystems, infrastructure, and human safety (Bowman et al. 2009 ; Abatzoglou and Williams 2016 ; Jolly et al. 2015 ). In this context, forest fire risk is increasingly recognized not only as an environmental issue, but also as a central challenge for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. Early warning and information systems play a critical role in mitigating forest fire impacts by supporting timely detection, situational awareness, and coordinated response. Research has shown that effective forest fire management depends on the integration of real time observations, historical fire records, meteorological conditions, and spatial information within coherent decision support frameworks (San Miguel Ayanz et al. 2013; Johnston et al. 2018 ). However, in many countries, forest fire information remains fragmented across institutions, stored in heterogeneous formats, and insufficiently integrated into geospatial platforms that support operational decision making and long-term risk analysis. Geographic information systems have long been applied in forest fire research for tasks such as fire occurrence mapping, susceptibility assessment, and impact analysis (Chuvieco et al. 2010 ; Eugenio et al. 2016 ). More recently, the transition from desktop-based systems to Web based geographic information systems has expanded the potential for real time information sharing, multi user access, and integration with external data sources. WebGIS platforms enable the centralized management and visualization of spatial and temporal fire related data, facilitating coordination among agencies and improving access to information for decision makers (Peng and Tsou 2003 ; Zhang et al. 2019 ). Studies demonstrate that WebGIS based fire information systems can enhance situational awareness and support both operational response and post event analysis (Giuliani et al. 2021 ). At the same time, advances in environmental monitoring and data processing technologies are reshaping the technical foundations of forest fire information systems. The increased availability of satellite remote sensing products has improved the detection and monitoring of active fires and burned areas at multiple spatial and temporal scales (Giglio et al. 2016 ; Roteta et al. 2019 ). The proliferation of sensor networks and automated weather stations has further enhanced the capacity to observe fire relevant conditions such as temperature, humidity, wind, and fuel moisture (Yebra et al. 2018 ). Managing and analyzing these heterogeneous data streams increasingly requires scalable data infrastructures and interoperable system architectures. Despite these technological advances, research highlights persistent challenges in translating data availability into effective early warning and climate adaptation outcomes. Forest fire information systems often remain focused on documentation and visualization, with limited analytical integration and weak links to broader multi hazard and climate adaptation frameworks (Tedim et al. 2018 ; Galiana Martín et al. 2011 ). In addition, institutional fragmentation and limited interoperability between systems constrain the use of geospatial information for coordinated decision making, particularly in small and developing countries. Kosovo represents a relevant case for examining these challenges. The country is characterized by complex terrain, extensive forested areas, and increasing exposure to summer droughts and heatwaves, conditions that are conducive to forest fire occurrence. In response, Kosovo has developed the National Forest Fire Information System (NFFIS) as a centralized WebGIS based platform for managing forest fire related information. NFFIS integrates spatial data, fire incident records, and temporal information within an interactive geospatial environment, providing essential capabilities for visualization, querying, and historical analysis of forest fire events. While NFFIS provides an important operational foundation, its role within a broader climate change adaptation and early warning context has not yet been examined from a scientific perspective. In particular, there is limited analysis of how national forest fire information systems can evolve from event focused information repositories into integrated geospatial platforms that support risk assessment, early warning, and cross hazard coordination. Addressing this gap is essential for strengthening the contribution of geospatial information systems to climate adaptation strategies. This paper examines the National Forest Fire Information System as a geospatial information platform for forest fire management and climate change adaptation in Kosovo. By situating NFFIS within the international scientific literature on forest fire information systems, WebGIS, and climate driven risk, the study contributes to understanding how national geospatial platforms can support more integrated and adaptive approaches to forest fire risk management. 2 Geospatial information systems for forest fire management and climate adaptation 2.1 Geospatial information systems and Web based platforms for forest fire management Geographic information systems have long been used to analyze the spatial distribution of forest fires, assess fire risk, and support management decisions by integrating environmental, climatic, and socio spatial variables within a unified analytical framework. Research demonstrates that spatial factors such as topography, land cover, vegetation type, and climate conditions strongly influence fire occurrence, and that geographic information systems provide an effective means of examining these relationships across scales (Chuvieco and Congalton 1989 ; Vega García et al. 1996 ; Chuvieco et al. 2010 ). As climate change alters fire regimes, geospatial analysis has also been increasingly applied to identify long term trends and spatial patterns associated with rising temperatures and prolonged drought conditions (Bowman et al. 2009 ; Abatzoglou and Williams 2016 ). The evolution from desktop-based systems to Web based geospatial platforms has significantly expanded the operational role of geographic information systems in forest fire management. Web based geographic information systems enable centralized data management, real time access, and multi user interaction, which are critical in emergency and coordination intensive contexts (Peng and Tsou 2003 ). Studies show that WebGIS platforms improve situational awareness by providing dynamic visualization of fire events and by facilitating information sharing between institutions responsible for forestry, emergency response, and environmental protection (San Miguel Ayanz et al. 2013; Giuliani et al. 2021 ). At the same time, the literature notes that many WebGIS fire information systems remain primarily focused on visualization and documentation, with limited analytical integration and weak links to climate change adaptation processes. Remote sensing and environmental monitoring data have become essential components of modern forest fire information systems. Satellite based fire detection and burned area mapping products provide consistent observations of fire activity across large areas, while ground based monitoring supports the observation of fire relevant environmental conditions (Giglio et al. 2016 ; Roteta et al. 2019 ; Yebra et al. 2018 ). Integrating these heterogeneous data streams within WebGIS environments enables near real time monitoring and retrospective analysis, but also raises challenges related to interoperability, data quality, and scalability, particularly in national level systems. 2.2 The National Forest Fire Information System as a national WebGIS platform Within this broader scientific context, the National Forest Fire Information System (NFFIS) represents Kosovo’s national WebGIS based platform for forest fire information management. According to the system documentation, NFFIS is designed as a centralized geospatial information system that integrates spatial datasets, forest fire incident records, and temporal information within a web accessible environment. The system supports interactive map-based visualization, attribute querying, and historical analysis of forest fire events, providing core functionalities for operational monitoring and information management (see Fig. 1 ). Figure 3 illustrates the main WebGIS interface of NFFIS, where recorded forest fire events are displayed together with administrative boundaries, land cover, and background mapping layers. This interface enables users to explore the spatial distribution of fire events and to assess their geographic context, supporting situational awareness at national and subnational scales. Figure 2 shows the incident registration and attribute management functionality, through which users can record fire locations, dates, and descriptive characteristics that are stored in a centralized geospatial database. The structured storage of these attributes enables subsequent spatial and temporal analysis of forest fire occurrence. The system’s modular architecture allows multiple data layers and functional components to be managed within a unified framework. As shown in Fig. 4, NFFIS supports the overlay of forest fire events with land use, forest cover, and protected areas, enabling the examination of potential impacts and spatial relationships relevant to forest management and risk assessment. From a scientific perspective, these functionalities position NFFIS as a geospatial information infrastructure rather than a standalone application, with the potential to support longitudinal analysis of fire patterns and contribute to climate change adaptation strategies. While NFFIS is primarily oriented toward forest fire information management, its WebGIS based architecture and centralized data model provide a foundation for broader integration with climate related data and analytical tools. The literature emphasizes that national fire information systems can play a critical role in climate adaptation when they support the analysis of historical trends, spatial patterns, and interactions between fire regimes and climatic drivers (Tedim et al. 2018 ; Galiana Martín et al. 2011 ). In this sense, NFFIS represents a key component of Kosovo’s geospatial infrastructure for forest fire risk management, with potential for further development toward integrated early warning and adaptation frameworks. 3 Materials and methods 3.1 Methodological positioning and research rationale This study is situated within geoinformation science research that conceptualizes geospatial technologies as information infrastructures supporting environmental governance, disaster risk management, and climate change adaptation. Within this paradigm, geographic information systems are understood not merely as analytical tools, but as socio technical systems whose architecture, data models, and interaction mechanisms shape the production, validation, and use of spatial knowledge across institutional contexts (Masser 2005 ; Nativi et al. 2017 ; Giuliani et al. 2021 ). This perspective is particularly relevant for national-scale platforms that must integrate heterogeneous data sources, support multiple user communities, and operate across administrative and organizational boundaries. Forest fire information systems represent a specialized class of such infrastructures, as they combine dynamic environmental observations, administrative records, and formalized institutional workflows related to hazard monitoring, emergency response, and post-event assessment. Evaluating these systems therefore requires a methodological approach that extends beyond predictive accuracy or algorithmic performance and instead emphasizes system architecture, data organization, interoperability, and usability. System-oriented qualitative methodologies are widely adopted in studies of spatial data infrastructures and environmental information systems for addressing these dimensions (Masser 2005 ; Giuliani et al. 2021 ). In line with this tradition, the present study adopts a system-oriented analytical approach to examine the National Forest Fire Information System (NFFIS) as Kosovo’s principal Web-based geospatial information infrastructure for forest fire management. The objective is to assess how NFFIS supports the collection, management, visualization, and interpretation of forest fire information, and to evaluate its potential contribution to long-term climate change adaptation and risk-informed decision making, rather than short-term fire behavior prediction. 3.2 Analytical framework and evaluation dimensions The analysis is structured using an analytical framework derived from literature on geographic information systems, spatial data infrastructures, and early warning systems. This framework defines a set of evaluation dimensions that guide the assessment and ensure consistency with established geoinformation science research (Masser 2005 ; Nativi et al. 2017 ; Tedim et al. 2018 ). The first-dimension concerns system architecture, focusing on how system components are organized, how data are ingested and stored, and whether the architecture supports modularity, scalability, and interoperability. Centralized data management combined with service-based access is a defining characteristic of robust geospatial information infrastructures, enabling consistent data use across institutional boundaries while minimizing redundancy (Masser 2005 ; Nativi et al. 2017 ). The second dimension addresses data organization and semantics, examining how forest fire events are represented, which attributes are associated with each event, and how temporal information is handled. Long-term consistency of fire records is essential for analyzing trends in fire occurrence and for linking observed changes to climatic variability, land-use dynamics, and management practices (Bowman et al. 2009 ; Abatzoglou and Williams 2016 ). The third dimension focuses on spatial and temporal representation, including spatial resolution, geographic referencing, and temporal granularity. These characteristics determine the analytical potential of fire databases and their suitability for understanding fire regimes across multiple scales. Limitations in spatial or temporal resolution can significantly constrain the usefulness of fire information systems for adaptive management and policy support (Chuvieco et al. 2010 ; Eugenio et al. 2016 ). The fourth dimension concerns visualization and user interaction. Interactive spatial visualization enables users to explore patterns, identify relationships, and interpret complex datasets, particularly in multi-institutional operational contexts. The ability of a system to support exploratory spatial analysis is therefore treated as a core methodological requirement rather than a purely technical feature (Chuvieco et al. 2010 ). The final dimension addresses integration potential, defined as the capacity of the system to incorporate additional datasets such as climatic indicators, land-cover information, or outputs from early warning services. Integration potential is central to climate change adaptation, which relies on combining hazard information with environmental and socio-economic data to support anticipatory decision making (Tedim et al. 2018 ; Giuliani et al. 2021 ). 3.3 Data sources, documentation, and system context The empirical basis of the study consists of official documentation of the National Forest Fire Information System, including system design descriptions, data models, and interface specifications. These materials provide insight into how the system was conceived, implemented, and embedded within institutional workflows. Analysis of system documentation is a well-established method in system-oriented geoinformation research, as it enables reconstruction of system logic, data flows, and governance arrangements without direct system manipulation (Masser 2005 ). The development of NFFIS was initiated in response to a measurable increase in wildfire frequency and intensity in Kosovo in recent years, associated with climate variability, prolonged drought periods, and changing land-use patterns. The system was established through a five-year cooperation initiative supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and implemented under the leadership of the Emergency Management Agency, with technical hosting and cybersecurity management provided by the Agency for Information Society. While inspired by regional implementations such as North Macedonia’s forest fire information system, NFFIS was tailored to Kosovo’s Forest ecosystems, administrative structure, and institutional responsibilities. In addition to documentation analysis, the study includes a structured examination of the NFFIS WebGIS interface to understand how spatial information is presented and accessed by users. Particular attention is given to visualization of fire events in relation to administrative boundaries, forest cover, infrastructure, and land-use categories, which are critical for interpreting fire impacts and exposure (Chuvieco et al. 2010 ; Eugenio et al. 2016 ). 3.4 System architecture and data integration NFFIS is implemented as a centralized WebGIS platform designed to support the full operational cycle of forest fire monitoring, reporting, verification, damage assessment, and post-event analysis at the national scale. The system follows a service-oriented architecture in which data ingestion, processing, storage, and visualization are handled through interoperable components. The backend operates on virtualized servers supported by dedicated storage, providing redundancy and scalability. All network communication and system operations are encrypted and monitored in accordance with national cybersecurity protocols. The application layer is developed using the Django framework, which manages application logic, user authentication, role-based access control, and automated data ingestion routines. Spatial data storage and querying are handled through PostgreSQL with PostGIS extensions, while GeoServer serves and renders spatial layers to the WebGIS client. The browser-based front-end enables access through standard web browsers without specialized local software installations. The system integrates multiple real-time and near-real-time data sources. Satellite-based active fire detections from MODIS and VIIRS sensors provide synoptic coverage of thermal anomalies, while meteorological observations from the national hydrometeorological Automatic Weather Station network supply temperature, humidity, wind speed, and precipitation used for fire weather and risk assessment. These external datasets are combined with institutional field reports and forestry damage assessments, forming a unified fire event database. Figure 1 illustrates the layered architecture of the National Forest Fire Information System, showing the interaction between client-side visualization, application services, data processing components, and geospatial data infrastructure. The client layer is implemented using OpenLayers and Vue.js, providing browser-based access to interactive geospatial content. External data sources, including satellite and environmental services accessed via the internet, are integrated through standardized REST APIs and Open Geospatial Consortium services. The application layer, built on the Django framework, manages user authentication, business logic, and automated data retrieval and analysis workflows using scientific Python libraries. Geospatial data storage and rendering are handled by PostgreSQL/PostGIS, QGIS Server, and GeoServer, enabling interoperable access to vector and raster datasets. This architecture supports scalable, secure, and modular integration of multi-source fire-related data within a centralized WebGIS platform. 3.5 Functional modules, analytical workflows, and institutional use The NFFIS user interface is organized into functional modules supporting both operational monitoring and analytical tasks. At its core is the interactive map dashboard, which integrates real-time hotspot detections from MODIS and VIIRS, historical fire perimeters, Fire Weather Index values, Vegetation Dryness Indices derived from satellite imagery, and detailed land-cover layers. Users can dynamically control layer visibility, adjust transparency, and combine datasets to explore spatial relationships. Figure 2 illustrates integrated fire risk visualization within the NFFIS WebGIS environment. Methodologically, the figure demonstrates how hazard indicators derived from meteorological and vegetation conditions are combined with exposure layers such as forest assets and settlement proximity. This integration enables users to identify priority zones where high hazard coincides with high exposure, supporting risk-informed planning and response. Figure 3 illustrates the integrated fire risk visualization generated by the National Forest Fire Information System, combining fire hazard indicators, high-value forest areas, and settlement exposure within a single spatial framework. The visualization demonstrates how meteorologically driven fire hazard, derived from the Fire Weather Index and vegetation dryness indicators, overlaps with environmentally and socio-economically sensitive areas. The spatial distribution reveals pronounced concentrations of extreme and very high fire hazard in western and central parts of Kosovo, particularly within forested mountainous zones. These areas coincide with extensive high-value forest stands, indicating elevated potential for ecological and economic losses in the event of fire occurrence. The overlay of settlement locations further highlights zones where human exposure intersects with high hazard levels, emphasizing areas of heightened risk that require prioritized monitoring and preparedness. The interactive query example for the Pejë region illustrates the analytical capability of the system. By aggregating hazard classes with forest value and settlement proximity, the platform quantifies affected areas and exposed elements, including the extent of extreme fire hazard, the surface of high-value forests at risk, and the number of exposed settlements. This integrated assessment moves beyond simple hazard mapping and enables users to evaluate fire risk in relation to both environmental vulnerability and human presence. From an analytical perspective, Fig. 3 demonstrates how NFFIS supports risk-informed decision making by translating complex, multi-source geospatial data into interpretable spatial information. The ability to visualize and quantify the spatial coincidence of hazard, exposure, and asset value provides a practical basis for prioritizing preventive measures, allocating response resources, and supporting longer-term fire management and climate adaptation strategies. Incident reporting and verification constitute a central workflow within NFFIS. Authorized operators at Regional Emergency Operation Centers can log new fire events, recording time, geographic coordinates, severity, suspected cause, and response measures. Each incident progresses through standardized status categories, ensuring consistent tracking and documentation. Following verification, forestry authorities conduct damage assessments by delineating burned areas as polygons and recording attributes such as vegetation type, burned surface, and estimated losses. Contextual parameters, including terrain characteristics and meteorological conditions at the time of the event, are automatically populated from integrated datasets, reducing subjectivity and improving comparability across incidents. Behind the user interface, automated workflows retrieve, process, and publish geospatial information. Satellite-derived thermal anomaly data are acquired daily from NASA services, filtered, and classified as fire hotspots when defined thresholds are exceeded. Meteorological data are integrated to compute Fire Weather Indices, while vegetation dryness is estimated using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index values. All datasets are stored chronologically, enabling seasonal analysis and multi-year trend assessment. Automated alert mechanisms disseminate notifications via SMS, email, and the system dashboard when hotspots intersect high-risk forest zones or protected areas. NFFIS is actively used by the Emergency Management Agency, Kosovo Forestry Agency, Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, and municipal authorities. Capacity-building programs conducted in 2023 and 2024 ensured effective institutional uptake, covering both operational use and advanced analytical functions. A train-the-trainer approach was adopted to support long-term sustainability and institutional continuity. 3.6 Interpretation and methodological limitations Findings derived from the system analysis are interpreted through comparison with the analytical framework and relevant literature. This interpretative step allows assessment of how closely NFFIS aligns with characteristics identified as critical for geospatial information infrastructures and early warning systems (Masser 2005 ; Tedim et al. 2018 ). The methodological approach adopted in this study does not include quantitative evaluation of predictive performance, response effectiveness, or user behavior, which would require complementary methods such as model validation or user studies. Nevertheless, the chosen approach is appropriate for examining system design, data integration capacity, and adaptation potential, which are central concerns in geoinformation science research on national-scale information infrastructures. 4 Results 4.1 System implementation and operational availability The National Forest Fire Information System has been fully implemented as a centralized WebGIS platform and deployed within Kosovo’s national disaster management infrastructure. The system is operational throughout the fire season and accessible to authorized institutions via a browser-based interface. The layered architecture described in Section 3 enables continuous ingestion, processing, and visualization of heterogeneous fire-related datasets without requiring manual intervention by users. The operational implementation demonstrates that the separation between client, application, and data layers, as illustrated in Fig. 1 , effectively supports system scalability and stability. Client-side visualization remains responsive even during periods of intensive data updates, while backend analytical processes operate independently through scheduled routines. This separation ensures that near real-time fire detection and alerting functions can be maintained alongside historical data analysis and reporting. A key result of the NFFIS implementation is the successful integration of satellite-based fire detection products, ground-based meteorological observations, and institutional incident reports into a unified spatial database. Active fire detections from MODIS and VIIRS sensors are continuously ingested and visualized as fire hotspots, providing synoptic coverage across the national territory. These detections are complemented by meteorological inputs from the national Automatic Weather Station network, which feed into the calculation of fire hazard indicators such as the Fire Weather Index and vegetation dryness metrics. The integration of these datasets enables consistent spatial and temporal representation of fire hazard conditions. The system maintains chronological storage of all inputs, allowing users to explore fire activity across daily, seasonal, and multi-year timescales. This temporal continuity supports retrospective analysis of fire occurrence patterns and provides an empirical basis for examining trends potentially associated with climate variability. The structured incident reporting workflow implemented in NFFIS has resulted in standardized documentation of fire events across institutions. Authorized operators at Regional Emergency Operation Centers are able to register incidents directly within the system, assigning spatial coordinates, timestamps, and preliminary attributes at the time of reporting. Subsequent verification by field responders determines whether incidents are confirmed or classified as false reports. Figure 2 illustrates this workflow and clarifies the controlled transitions between incident states. From a results perspective, the workflow ensures that only verified incidents progress to damage assessment and analytical stages. This reduces data noise and enhances the reliability of the incident database for subsequent spatial and temporal analysis. The linkage between incident records and damage assessment polygons further enables systematic evaluation of fire impacts across forest types and administrative units. 4.2 Spatial patterns of fire hazard and exposure The integrated fire risk visualization produced by NFFIS reveals clear spatial patterns in fire hazard and exposure across Kosovo. As shown in Fig. 3 , areas of extreme and very high fire hazard are concentrated primarily in western and central regions, particularly within forested mountainous zones. These zones coincide with extensive high-value forest areas, indicating elevated potential for ecological and economic losses during periods of extreme fire conditions. Overlaying settlement locations with hazard and forest value layers highlights areas where human exposure intersects with elevated fire risk. This spatial coincidence identifies priority zones for enhanced monitoring, preparedness, and preventive measures. The ability to visualize these overlaps within a single spatial framework represents a significant advancement over traditional hazard-only mapping approaches. The interactive analytical functions demonstrated in Fig. 3 further allow users to quantify affected areas and exposed elements for selected administrative units. For example, aggregated statistics for specific municipalities provide estimates of forest area under extreme hazard, high-value forest surface at risk, and the number of exposed settlements. These outputs support evidence-based prioritization of response resources and preventive interventions. Beyond visualization, NFFIS provides analytical functions that transform raw spatial data into decision-relevant information. Users can perform spatial queries, define areas of interest, and generate summary statistics related to fire occurrence, hazard levels, and exposed assets. Temporal navigation tools enable comparison of fire patterns across different years and seasons, supporting identification of recurring hotspots and long-term trends. The automated alerting mechanism constitutes another important result of the system implementation. When satellite-detected hotspots or elevated hazard indicators intersect with high-risk forest zones or sensitive areas, alerts are disseminated through the system dashboard and external communication channels. This functionality enhances situational awareness and supports timely coordination among emergency services and forestry authorities. 4.3 Implications for climate adaptation and risk management The results demonstrate that NFFIS functions not only as an operational monitoring tool but also as a geospatial information infrastructure capable of supporting longer-term climate adaptation strategies. By combining hazard indicators with exposure and asset information, the system enables a shift from reactive fire suppression toward risk-informed planning and prevention. The availability of a centralized historical fire database supports analysis of changes in fire frequency, spatial distribution, and severity over time. Such analysis is essential for assessing climate-related trends and informing adaptive forest management policies. While further integration with additional climate variables and multi-hazard systems would enhance analytical depth, the current implementation already provides a robust foundation for evidence-based fire risk management. 5 Discussion The findings of this study indicate that the National Forest Fire Information System functions as a geospatial information infrastructure rather than a standalone operational application. Its layered architecture and service-oriented design align with principles widely discussed in spatial data infrastructure research, particularly regarding modularity, interoperability, and long-term sustainability of national geospatial platforms (Masser 2005 ; Nativi et al. 2017 ; Rajabifard et al. 2020 ). Such characteristics are increasingly recognized as essential for systems that must integrate heterogeneous environmental data sources while supporting multiple institutional users and evolving analytical requirements. A central contribution of NFFIS lies in its integration of satellite-derived fire detections, meteorological observations, and institutional incident reporting within a unified spatial framework. Previous research has shown that reliance on single data streams limits the interpretability and reliability of wildfire information systems, particularly under conditions of increased climatic variability (Bowman et al. 2009 ; Chuvieco et al. 2010 ; Abatzoglou and Williams 2016 ). By combining MODIS and VIIRS active fire products with ground-based meteorological inputs used to derive fire danger indices, NFFIS provides a more robust representation of fire hazard conditions, consistent with best practices in wildfire early warning and monitoring systems (Giglio et al. 2016 ; Eugenio et al. 2016 ; Yebra et al. 2018 ). The structured incident reporting and verification workflow embedded within NFFIS further enhances the analytical value of the system. As illustrated in Fig. 2 , controlled transitions between incident states ensure that only verified events propagate into damage assessment and analytical layers. This addresses a common limitation identified in wildfire databases, where inconsistent reporting practices and lack of verification undermine longitudinal analyses and policy evaluation (Bowman et al. 2009 ; Miller and Ager 2013 ). The linkage between incident records and spatially explicit damage assessments supports systematic comparison of fire impacts across administrative units and forest types, contributing to institutional learning and accountability. An important outcome highlighted by the results is the system’s ability to support a shift from hazard-focused mapping toward risk-informed spatial analysis. The integrated visualization shown in Fig. 3 demonstrates how fire hazard indicators can be combined with exposure elements such as high-value forest areas and settlements. This approach corresponds with contemporary wildfire risk frameworks that emphasize the interaction between hazard, exposure, and vulnerability rather than hazard alone (Chuvieco et al. 2010 ; Tedim et al. 2018 ; Ager et al. 2021 ). By enabling quantification of exposed assets and identification of priority zones, NFFIS supports preventive planning, resource allocation, and targeted preparedness measures in a way that traditional detection-oriented systems cannot. From a climate change adaptation perspective, the availability of a centralized, chronologically structured fire database is particularly significant. Numerous studies have documented shifts in fire regimes linked to rising temperatures, extended droughts, and changes in vegetation conditions (Bowman et al. 2009 ; Jolly et al. 2015 ; Abatzoglou and Williams 2016 ). While NFFIS does not yet incorporate predictive fire behavior models or climate scenario projections, its architecture and data organization provide a foundation for future integration of such components. This aligns with recent calls for flexible geospatial infrastructures capable of supporting adaptive decision making under conditions of uncertainty (Giuliani et al. 2021 ; Rajabifard et al. 2020 ). The discussion also underscores the importance of institutional coordination and governance in realizing the benefits of geospatial information systems. NFFIS is actively used by multiple agencies with distinct mandates, including emergency management, forestry, and environmental authorities. Shared access to standardized spatial information supports a common operational picture and reduces fragmentation in decision making, a challenge frequently identified in disaster risk management and early warning contexts (Masser 2005 ; Nativi et al. 2017 ; Basher 2006 ). However, sustained effectiveness depends on continued capacity building, data sharing agreements, and institutional commitment to maintaining and evolving the system. Several limitations should be acknowledged. The analytical functionality of NFFIS remains primarily descriptive and exploratory, and explicit representation of uncertainty is not currently implemented. Moreover, systematic evaluation of how the system influences operational decisions and outcomes was beyond the scope of this study. Future research could combine system analysis with user-centered evaluations, predictive modeling, and scenario-based approaches to further enhance the system’s contribution to adaptive wildfire management (Giuliani et al. 2021 ; Ager et al. 2021 ; Johnston et al. 2018 ). Overall, the discussion demonstrates that NFFIS represents a substantive step toward integrated, risk-informed forest fire management in Kosovo. Its design and functionality are consistent with contemporary geoinformation science principles and provide a scalable foundation for future development in response to increasing wildfire risk under climate change. 6 Conclusions This study examined the National Forest Fire Information System as a national-scale Web-based geospatial information infrastructure supporting forest fire management and climate change adaptation in Kosovo. By adopting a system-oriented analytical approach, the research assessed how the system’s architecture, data integration, and analytical functionalities enable the collection, management, and interpretation of forest fire information beyond immediate operational needs. The results demonstrate that NFFIS successfully integrates satellite-derived fire detections, meteorological observations, and institutional incident reporting within a centralized spatial database. This integration supports consistent spatial and temporal representation of fire activity and enables exploratory analysis of fire hazard, exposure, and impact patterns. The system’s structured incident workflow and standardized documentation enhance data reliability and provide a foundation for retrospective analysis and institutional learning. A key contribution of NFFIS lies in its ability to support a transition from hazard-focused monitoring toward risk-informed spatial analysis. By combining fire hazard indicators with high-value forest areas and settlement exposure, the system enables identification of priority zones for prevention, preparedness, and targeted response. This integrated approach aligns with contemporary wildfire risk management frameworks and addresses the increasing complexity of fire regimes under climate variability. From a geoinformation science perspective, the findings highlight the importance of viewing national fire information systems as socio-technical infrastructures embedded within governance and institutional contexts. The effectiveness of NFFIS is closely linked to inter-agency coordination, shared data standards, and sustained capacity building, emphasizing that technical solutions alone are insufficient for effective disaster risk management. While the system currently focuses on descriptive and exploratory analysis, its architecture provides a scalable foundation for future enhancements, including integration of additional climate datasets, predictive modeling, and uncertainty representation. Further research combining system analysis with user-centered evaluations and decision outcome assessments would strengthen understanding of how such platforms influence operational and strategic fire management practices. Overall, NFFIS represents a significant advancement in Kosovo’s forest fire management capacity and illustrates how Web-based geospatial information infrastructures can support adaptive, risk-informed decision making in regions facing increasing wildfire risk due to climate change. Declarations Author Contribution P.A. conceptualized the study, led the system analysis, and wrote the main manuscript text. Y.K. contributed to the methodological design, data interpretation, and critical revision of the manuscript. B.A. supported the technical analysis of the geospatial system architecture and contributed to figure preparation and validation of results. All authors reviewed, edited, and approved the final manuscript. References Abatzoglou JT, Williams AP (2016) Impact of anthropogenic climate change on wildfire across western US forests. 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Nat Hazards 82(1):373–387 Galiana Martín L, Herrero G, Solana J (2011) A wildland–urban interface typology for forest fire risk management in Mediterranean areas. Landsc Res 36(2):151–171 Giglio L, Schroeder W, Justice CO (2016) The Collection 6 MODIS active fire detection algorithm and fire products. Remote Sens Environ 178:31–41 Giuliani G, Nativi S, Obregon A, Beniston M, Lehmann A (2021) Spatial data infrastructures and environmental monitoring: a review. Int J Digit Earth 14(7):1048–1071 Johnston FH, Wheeler AJ, Williamson GJ et al (2018) Using satellite remote sensing to understand the relationship between climate change, bushfires and health. Environ Res Lett 13(3):034011 Jolly WM, Cochrane MA, Freeborn PH et al (2015) Climate-induced variations in global wildfire danger from 1979 to 2013. Nat Commun 6:7537 Masser I (2005) GIS worlds: creating spatial data infrastructures. ESRI, Redlands Miller C, Ager AA (2013) A review of recent advances in risk analysis for wildfire management. Int J Wildland Fire 22(1):1–14 Nativi S, Craglia M, Pearlman J (2017) Earth science infrastructures interoperability: the brokering approach. IEEE J Sel Top Appl Earth Observations Remote Sens 10(5):1904–1912 Peng ZR, Tsou MH (2003) Internet GIS: distributed geographic information services for the Internet and wireless networks. Wiley, Hoboken Rajabifard A, Crompvoets J, Kalantari M, Kok B (2020) Spatial data infrastructures: concepts, SDI hierarchy and future directions. Geo-Spatial Inform Sci 23(2):1–17 Roteta E, Bastarrika A, Padilla M, Storm T, Chuvieco E (2019) Development of a Sentinel-2 burned area algorithm. Remote Sens Environ 227:203–214 San-Miguel-Ayanz J, Schulte E, Schmuck G et al (2013) Comprehensive monitoring of wildfires in Europe: the European Forest Fire Information System. For Ecol Manag 284:95–106 Tedim F, Leone V, McCaffrey S (2018) A wildfire risk management concept based on a social-ecological approach. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct 27:519–529 Vega García C, Woodard PM, Titus SJ, Adamowicz WL, Lee BS (1996) A logit model for predicting the daily occurrence of human-caused forest fires. Int J Wildland Fire 6(2):101–111 Yebra M, Quan X, Riaño D et al (2018) A global review of remote sensing of live fuel moisture content for fire danger assessment. Remote Sens Environ 205:345–359 Zhang J, Goodchild MF, Yu M (2019) Toward a general framework for geospatial big data. Int J Geogr Inf Sci 33(1):1–26 Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8745216","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":583944884,"identity":"56c690c5-766d-4adf-9fce-7b8e1ea04fcd","order_by":0,"name":"Perparim Ameti","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Prishtina","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Perparim","middleName":"","lastName":"Ameti","suffix":""},{"id":583944887,"identity":"791cd01d-477e-4fd7-b4bd-9d5967bad421","order_by":1,"name":"Ymer Kuka","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA30lEQVRIie3RMQrCMBiG4Q8EuwRd41SPEClURQ9TKdSl4CA4F7yELt7BpXMgUJfOUolDQXByKLg4iamK4JLqJph3yg954A8BTKafjYPBigDvMbIPCeFfE+q9Rj1hW5EUSIXTXJ7cPMd+AmseUy2Rgb9AJlwqwy7zcOxHJJlVkNABCjGEDF06ugq1oTroyeR8J/YuddVzFLFPVSSsoVyMZeRJKNGTlgwceOnY6aTBTJEjq5Ng2tORhvQPKJJBZ7URceuCPWtaYp3pSJvj9YNlHHXd9TI7ep95FTCZTKY/7AaqzUmKqKnXPAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"University of Prishtina","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ymer","middleName":"","lastName":"Kuka","suffix":""},{"id":583944888,"identity":"e5d2e45c-0d81-4319-a242-8bb1fa293515","order_by":2,"name":"Besim Ajvazi","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Prishtina","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Besim","middleName":"","lastName":"Ajvazi","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-01-30 22:53:14","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8745216/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8745216/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":102019543,"identity":"fee6635c-43b8-4329-82b4-76a72747c1bf","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-02-06 08:22:45","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":834559,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSystem architecture of the National Forest Fire Information System (NFFIS).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8745216/v1/89855f2fb95b3cc6bb90cdb7.png"},{"id":102019542,"identity":"1adb8bdf-9d29-4211-a00d-bab28565b1c4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-02-06 08:22:45","extension":"jpeg","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":192002,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eNFFIS workflow and incident reporting\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage2.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8745216/v1/d94444fa786ecb39a018c1a9.jpeg"},{"id":102295430,"identity":"281b5cd4-b21c-4e1c-82cd-185aef35942a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-02-10 10:11:16","extension":"jpeg","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":592543,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eIntegrated fire risk visualization within the NFFIS\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage3.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8745216/v1/6676256a043c4cf1963d49b5.jpeg"},{"id":103605336,"identity":"7a451d7b-802a-4a28-b4e0-0efb4586fdea","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-02-27 14:42:33","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":2110240,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8745216/v1/bf72f117-3468-4a67-a667-9c452833b518.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"A Web Based Geospatial Framework for Forest Fire Information and Climate Change Adaptation","fulltext":[{"header":"1 Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eClimate change has emerged as a major driver of increasing forest fire risk across many regions of the world, altering fire regimes through rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and changes in vegetation patterns. Numerous studies have documented that climate induced shifts in fuel availability and moisture conditions are leading to more frequent, larger, and more severe forest fires, with significant impacts on ecosystems, infrastructure, and human safety (Bowman et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e; Abatzoglou and Williams \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e; Jolly et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). In this context, forest fire risk is increasingly recognized not only as an environmental issue, but also as a central challenge for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEarly warning and information systems play a critical role in mitigating forest fire impacts by supporting timely detection, situational awareness, and coordinated response. Research has shown that effective forest fire management depends on the integration of real time observations, historical fire records, meteorological conditions, and spatial information within coherent decision support frameworks (San Miguel Ayanz et al. 2013; Johnston et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). However, in many countries, forest fire information remains fragmented across institutions, stored in heterogeneous formats, and insufficiently integrated into geospatial platforms that support operational decision making and long-term risk analysis.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGeographic information systems have long been applied in forest fire research for tasks such as fire occurrence mapping, susceptibility assessment, and impact analysis (Chuvieco et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e; Eugenio et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). More recently, the transition from desktop-based systems to Web based geographic information systems has expanded the potential for real time information sharing, multi user access, and integration with external data sources. WebGIS platforms enable the centralized management and visualization of spatial and temporal fire related data, facilitating coordination among agencies and improving access to information for decision makers (Peng and Tsou \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2003\u003c/span\u003e; Zhang et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Studies demonstrate that WebGIS based fire information systems can enhance situational awareness and support both operational response and post event analysis (Giuliani et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAt the same time, advances in environmental monitoring and data processing technologies are reshaping the technical foundations of forest fire information systems. The increased availability of satellite remote sensing products has improved the detection and monitoring of active fires and burned areas at multiple spatial and temporal scales (Giglio et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e; Roteta et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). The proliferation of sensor networks and automated weather stations has further enhanced the capacity to observe fire relevant conditions such as temperature, humidity, wind, and fuel moisture (Yebra et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). Managing and analyzing these heterogeneous data streams increasingly requires scalable data infrastructures and interoperable system architectures. Despite these technological advances, research highlights persistent challenges in translating data availability into effective early warning and climate adaptation outcomes. Forest fire information systems often remain focused on documentation and visualization, with limited analytical integration and weak links to broader multi hazard and climate adaptation frameworks (Tedim et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Galiana Mart\u0026iacute;n et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e). In addition, institutional fragmentation and limited interoperability between systems constrain the use of geospatial information for coordinated decision making, particularly in small and developing countries.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKosovo represents a relevant case for examining these challenges. The country is characterized by complex terrain, extensive forested areas, and increasing exposure to summer droughts and heatwaves, conditions that are conducive to forest fire occurrence. In response, Kosovo has developed the National Forest Fire Information System (NFFIS) as a centralized WebGIS based platform for managing forest fire related information. NFFIS integrates spatial data, fire incident records, and temporal information within an interactive geospatial environment, providing essential capabilities for visualization, querying, and historical analysis of forest fire events. While NFFIS provides an important operational foundation, its role within a broader climate change adaptation and early warning context has not yet been examined from a scientific perspective. In particular, there is limited analysis of how national forest fire information systems can evolve from event focused information repositories into integrated geospatial platforms that support risk assessment, early warning, and cross hazard coordination. Addressing this gap is essential for strengthening the contribution of geospatial information systems to climate adaptation strategies.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis paper examines the National Forest Fire Information System as a geospatial information platform for forest fire management and climate change adaptation in Kosovo. By situating NFFIS within the international scientific literature on forest fire information systems, WebGIS, and climate driven risk, the study contributes to understanding how national geospatial platforms can support more integrated and adaptive approaches to forest fire risk management.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2 Geospatial information systems for forest fire management and climate adaptation","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.1 Geospatial information systems and Web based platforms for forest fire management\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eGeographic information systems have long been used to analyze the spatial distribution of forest fires, assess fire risk, and support management decisions by integrating environmental, climatic, and socio spatial variables within a unified analytical framework. Research demonstrates that spatial factors such as topography, land cover, vegetation type, and climate conditions strongly influence fire occurrence, and that geographic information systems provide an effective means of examining these relationships across scales (Chuvieco and Congalton \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1989\u003c/span\u003e; Vega Garc\u0026iacute;a et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1996\u003c/span\u003e; Chuvieco et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). As climate change alters fire regimes, geospatial analysis has also been increasingly applied to identify long term trends and spatial patterns associated with rising temperatures and prolonged drought conditions (Bowman et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e; Abatzoglou and Williams \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe evolution from desktop-based systems to Web based geospatial platforms has significantly expanded the operational role of geographic information systems in forest fire management. Web based geographic information systems enable centralized data management, real time access, and multi user interaction, which are critical in emergency and coordination intensive contexts (Peng and Tsou \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2003\u003c/span\u003e). Studies show that WebGIS platforms improve situational awareness by providing dynamic visualization of fire events and by facilitating information sharing between institutions responsible for forestry, emergency response, and environmental protection (San Miguel Ayanz et al. 2013; Giuliani et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). At the same time, the literature notes that many WebGIS fire information systems remain primarily focused on visualization and documentation, with limited analytical integration and weak links to climate change adaptation processes.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRemote sensing and environmental monitoring data have become essential components of modern forest fire information systems. Satellite based fire detection and burned area mapping products provide consistent observations of fire activity across large areas, while ground based monitoring supports the observation of fire relevant environmental conditions (Giglio et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e; Roteta et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Yebra et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). Integrating these heterogeneous data streams within WebGIS environments enables near real time monitoring and retrospective analysis, but also raises challenges related to interoperability, data quality, and scalability, particularly in national level systems.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2 The National Forest Fire Information System as a national WebGIS platform\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWithin this broader scientific context, the National Forest Fire Information System (NFFIS) represents Kosovo\u0026rsquo;s national WebGIS based platform for forest fire information management. According to the system documentation, NFFIS is designed as a centralized geospatial information system that integrates spatial datasets, forest fire incident records, and temporal information within a web accessible environment. The system supports interactive map-based visualization, attribute querying, and historical analysis of forest fire events, providing core functionalities for operational monitoring and information management (see Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFigure \u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e illustrates the main WebGIS interface of NFFIS, where recorded forest fire events are displayed together with administrative boundaries, land cover, and background mapping layers. This interface enables users to explore the spatial distribution of fire events and to assess their geographic context, supporting situational awareness at national and subnational scales. Figure\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e shows the incident registration and attribute management functionality, through which users can record fire locations, dates, and descriptive characteristics that are stored in a centralized geospatial database. The structured storage of these attributes enables subsequent spatial and temporal analysis of forest fire occurrence.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe system\u0026rsquo;s modular architecture allows multiple data layers and functional components to be managed within a unified framework. As shown in Fig.\u0026nbsp;4, NFFIS supports the overlay of forest fire events with land use, forest cover, and protected areas, enabling the examination of potential impacts and spatial relationships relevant to forest management and risk assessment. From a scientific perspective, these functionalities position NFFIS as a geospatial information infrastructure rather than a standalone application, with the potential to support longitudinal analysis of fire patterns and contribute to climate change adaptation strategies.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhile NFFIS is primarily oriented toward forest fire information management, its WebGIS based architecture and centralized data model provide a foundation for broader integration with climate related data and analytical tools. The literature emphasizes that national fire information systems can play a critical role in climate adaptation when they support the analysis of historical trends, spatial patterns, and interactions between fire regimes and climatic drivers (Tedim et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Galiana Mart\u0026iacute;n et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e). In this sense, NFFIS represents a key component of Kosovo\u0026rsquo;s geospatial infrastructure for forest fire risk management, with potential for further development toward integrated early warning and adaptation frameworks.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3 Materials and methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.1 Methodological positioning and research rationale\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study is situated within geoinformation science research that conceptualizes geospatial technologies as information infrastructures supporting environmental governance, disaster risk management, and climate change adaptation. Within this paradigm, geographic information systems are understood not merely as analytical tools, but as socio technical systems whose architecture, data models, and interaction mechanisms shape the production, validation, and use of spatial knowledge across institutional contexts (Masser \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e; Nativi et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Giuliani et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). This perspective is particularly relevant for national-scale platforms that must integrate heterogeneous data sources, support multiple user communities, and operate across administrative and organizational boundaries.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eForest fire information systems represent a specialized class of such infrastructures, as they combine dynamic environmental observations, administrative records, and formalized institutional workflows related to hazard monitoring, emergency response, and post-event assessment. Evaluating these systems therefore requires a methodological approach that extends beyond predictive accuracy or algorithmic performance and instead emphasizes system architecture, data organization, interoperability, and usability. System-oriented qualitative methodologies are widely adopted in studies of spatial data infrastructures and environmental information systems for addressing these dimensions (Masser \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e; Giuliani et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). In line with this tradition, the present study adopts a system-oriented analytical approach to examine the National Forest Fire Information System (NFFIS) as Kosovo\u0026rsquo;s principal Web-based geospatial information infrastructure for forest fire management. The objective is to assess how NFFIS supports the collection, management, visualization, and interpretation of forest fire information, and to evaluate its potential contribution to long-term climate change adaptation and risk-informed decision making, rather than short-term fire behavior prediction.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.2 Analytical framework and evaluation dimensions\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe analysis is structured using an analytical framework derived from literature on geographic information systems, spatial data infrastructures, and early warning systems. This framework defines a set of evaluation dimensions that guide the assessment and ensure consistency with established geoinformation science research (Masser \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e; Nativi et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Tedim et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe first-dimension concerns system architecture, focusing on how system components are organized, how data are ingested and stored, and whether the architecture supports modularity, scalability, and interoperability. Centralized data management combined with service-based access is a defining characteristic of robust geospatial information infrastructures, enabling consistent data use across institutional boundaries while minimizing redundancy (Masser \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e; Nativi et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe second dimension addresses data organization and semantics, examining how forest fire events are represented, which attributes are associated with each event, and how temporal information is handled. Long-term consistency of fire records is essential for analyzing trends in fire occurrence and for linking observed changes to climatic variability, land-use dynamics, and management practices (Bowman et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e; Abatzoglou and Williams \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe third dimension focuses on spatial and temporal representation, including spatial resolution, geographic referencing, and temporal granularity. These characteristics determine the analytical potential of fire databases and their suitability for understanding fire regimes across multiple scales. Limitations in spatial or temporal resolution can significantly constrain the usefulness of fire information systems for adaptive management and policy support (Chuvieco et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e; Eugenio et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe fourth dimension concerns visualization and user interaction. Interactive spatial visualization enables users to explore patterns, identify relationships, and interpret complex datasets, particularly in multi-institutional operational contexts. The ability of a system to support exploratory spatial analysis is therefore treated as a core methodological requirement rather than a purely technical feature (Chuvieco et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe final dimension addresses integration potential, defined as the capacity of the system to incorporate additional datasets such as climatic indicators, land-cover information, or outputs from early warning services. Integration potential is central to climate change adaptation, which relies on combining hazard information with environmental and socio-economic data to support anticipatory decision making (Tedim et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Giuliani et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.3 Data sources, documentation, and system context\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe empirical basis of the study consists of official documentation of the National Forest Fire Information System, including system design descriptions, data models, and interface specifications. These materials provide insight into how the system was conceived, implemented, and embedded within institutional workflows. Analysis of system documentation is a well-established method in system-oriented geoinformation research, as it enables reconstruction of system logic, data flows, and governance arrangements without direct system manipulation (Masser \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe development of NFFIS was initiated in response to a measurable increase in wildfire frequency and intensity in Kosovo in recent years, associated with climate variability, prolonged drought periods, and changing land-use patterns. The system was established through a five-year cooperation initiative supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and implemented under the leadership of the Emergency Management Agency, with technical hosting and cybersecurity management provided by the Agency for Information Society. While inspired by regional implementations such as North Macedonia\u0026rsquo;s forest fire information system, NFFIS was tailored to Kosovo\u0026rsquo;s Forest ecosystems, administrative structure, and institutional responsibilities. In addition to documentation analysis, the study includes a structured examination of the NFFIS WebGIS interface to understand how spatial information is presented and accessed by users. Particular attention is given to visualization of fire events in relation to administrative boundaries, forest cover, infrastructure, and land-use categories, which are critical for interpreting fire impacts and exposure (Chuvieco et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e; Eugenio et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.4 System architecture and data integration\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eNFFIS is implemented as a centralized WebGIS platform designed to support the full operational cycle of forest fire monitoring, reporting, verification, damage assessment, and post-event analysis at the national scale. The system follows a service-oriented architecture in which data ingestion, processing, storage, and visualization are handled through interoperable components. The backend operates on virtualized servers supported by dedicated storage, providing redundancy and scalability. All network communication and system operations are encrypted and monitored in accordance with national cybersecurity protocols. The application layer is developed using the Django framework, which manages application logic, user authentication, role-based access control, and automated data ingestion routines. Spatial data storage and querying are handled through PostgreSQL with PostGIS extensions, while GeoServer serves and renders spatial layers to the WebGIS client. The browser-based front-end enables access through standard web browsers without specialized local software installations.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe system integrates multiple real-time and near-real-time data sources. Satellite-based active fire detections from MODIS and VIIRS sensors provide synoptic coverage of thermal anomalies, while meteorological observations from the national hydrometeorological Automatic Weather Station network supply temperature, humidity, wind speed, and precipitation used for fire weather and risk assessment. These external datasets are combined with institutional field reports and forestry damage assessments, forming a unified fire event database.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFigure \u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e illustrates the layered architecture of the National Forest Fire Information System, showing the interaction between client-side visualization, application services, data processing components, and geospatial data infrastructure. The client layer is implemented using OpenLayers and Vue.js, providing browser-based access to interactive geospatial content. External data sources, including satellite and environmental services accessed via the internet, are integrated through standardized REST APIs and Open Geospatial Consortium services. The application layer, built on the Django framework, manages user authentication, business logic, and automated data retrieval and analysis workflows using scientific Python libraries. Geospatial data storage and rendering are handled by PostgreSQL/PostGIS, QGIS Server, and GeoServer, enabling interoperable access to vector and raster datasets. This architecture supports scalable, secure, and modular integration of multi-source fire-related data within a centralized WebGIS platform.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.5 Functional modules, analytical workflows, and institutional use\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe NFFIS user interface is organized into functional modules supporting both operational monitoring and analytical tasks. At its core is the interactive map dashboard, which integrates real-time hotspot detections from MODIS and VIIRS, historical fire perimeters, Fire Weather Index values, Vegetation Dryness Indices derived from satellite imagery, and detailed land-cover layers. Users can dynamically control layer visibility, adjust transparency, and combine datasets to explore spatial relationships.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFigure \u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e illustrates integrated fire risk visualization within the NFFIS WebGIS environment. Methodologically, the figure demonstrates how hazard indicators derived from meteorological and vegetation conditions are combined with exposure layers such as forest assets and settlement proximity. This integration enables users to identify priority zones where high hazard coincides with high exposure, supporting risk-informed planning and response.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFigure \u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e illustrates the integrated fire risk visualization generated by the National Forest Fire Information System, combining fire hazard indicators, high-value forest areas, and settlement exposure within a single spatial framework. The visualization demonstrates how meteorologically driven fire hazard, derived from the Fire Weather Index and vegetation dryness indicators, overlaps with environmentally and socio-economically sensitive areas. The spatial distribution reveals pronounced concentrations of extreme and very high fire hazard in western and central parts of Kosovo, particularly within forested mountainous zones. These areas coincide with extensive high-value forest stands, indicating elevated potential for ecological and economic losses in the event of fire occurrence. The overlay of settlement locations further highlights zones where human exposure intersects with high hazard levels, emphasizing areas of heightened risk that require prioritized monitoring and preparedness.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe interactive query example for the Pej\u0026euml; region illustrates the analytical capability of the system. By aggregating hazard classes with forest value and settlement proximity, the platform quantifies affected areas and exposed elements, including the extent of extreme fire hazard, the surface of high-value forests at risk, and the number of exposed settlements. This integrated assessment moves beyond simple hazard mapping and enables users to evaluate fire risk in relation to both environmental vulnerability and human presence. From an analytical perspective, Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e demonstrates how NFFIS supports risk-informed decision making by translating complex, multi-source geospatial data into interpretable spatial information. The ability to visualize and quantify the spatial coincidence of hazard, exposure, and asset value provides a practical basis for prioritizing preventive measures, allocating response resources, and supporting longer-term fire management and climate adaptation strategies. Incident reporting and verification constitute a central workflow within NFFIS. Authorized operators at Regional Emergency Operation Centers can log new fire events, recording time, geographic coordinates, severity, suspected cause, and response measures. Each incident progresses through standardized status categories, ensuring consistent tracking and documentation. Following verification, forestry authorities conduct damage assessments by delineating burned areas as polygons and recording attributes such as vegetation type, burned surface, and estimated losses. Contextual parameters, including terrain characteristics and meteorological conditions at the time of the event, are automatically populated from integrated datasets, reducing subjectivity and improving comparability across incidents. Behind the user interface, automated workflows retrieve, process, and publish geospatial information. Satellite-derived thermal anomaly data are acquired daily from NASA services, filtered, and classified as fire hotspots when defined thresholds are exceeded. Meteorological data are integrated to compute Fire Weather Indices, while vegetation dryness is estimated using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index values. All datasets are stored chronologically, enabling seasonal analysis and multi-year trend assessment. Automated alert mechanisms disseminate notifications via SMS, email, and the system dashboard when hotspots intersect high-risk forest zones or protected areas. NFFIS is actively used by the Emergency Management Agency, Kosovo Forestry Agency, Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, and municipal authorities. Capacity-building programs conducted in 2023 and 2024 ensured effective institutional uptake, covering both operational use and advanced analytical functions. A train-the-trainer approach was adopted to support long-term sustainability and institutional continuity.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.6 Interpretation and methodological limitations\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eFindings derived from the system analysis are interpreted through comparison with the analytical framework and relevant literature. This interpretative step allows assessment of how closely NFFIS aligns with characteristics identified as critical for geospatial information infrastructures and early warning systems (Masser \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e; Tedim et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). The methodological approach adopted in this study does not include quantitative evaluation of predictive performance, response effectiveness, or user behavior, which would require complementary methods such as model validation or user studies. Nevertheless, the chosen approach is appropriate for examining system design, data integration capacity, and adaptation potential, which are central concerns in geoinformation science research on national-scale information infrastructures.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"4 Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.1 System implementation and operational availability\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe National Forest Fire Information System has been fully implemented as a centralized WebGIS platform and deployed within Kosovo\u0026rsquo;s national disaster management infrastructure. The system is operational throughout the fire season and accessible to authorized institutions via a browser-based interface. The layered architecture described in Section \u003cspan refid=\"Sec5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e enables continuous ingestion, processing, and visualization of heterogeneous fire-related datasets without requiring manual intervention by users.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe operational implementation demonstrates that the separation between client, application, and data layers, as illustrated in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, effectively supports system scalability and stability. Client-side visualization remains responsive even during periods of intensive data updates, while backend analytical processes operate independently through scheduled routines. This separation ensures that near real-time fire detection and alerting functions can be maintained alongside historical data analysis and reporting.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA key result of the NFFIS implementation is the successful integration of satellite-based fire detection products, ground-based meteorological observations, and institutional incident reports into a unified spatial database. Active fire detections from MODIS and VIIRS sensors are continuously ingested and visualized as fire hotspots, providing synoptic coverage across the national territory. These detections are complemented by meteorological inputs from the national Automatic Weather Station network, which feed into the calculation of fire hazard indicators such as the Fire Weather Index and vegetation dryness metrics. The integration of these datasets enables consistent spatial and temporal representation of fire hazard conditions. The system maintains chronological storage of all inputs, allowing users to explore fire activity across daily, seasonal, and multi-year timescales. This temporal continuity supports retrospective analysis of fire occurrence patterns and provides an empirical basis for examining trends potentially associated with climate variability. The structured incident reporting workflow implemented in NFFIS has resulted in standardized documentation of fire events across institutions. Authorized operators at Regional Emergency Operation Centers are able to register incidents directly within the system, assigning spatial coordinates, timestamps, and preliminary attributes at the time of reporting. Subsequent verification by field responders determines whether incidents are confirmed or classified as false reports.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFigure \u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e illustrates this workflow and clarifies the controlled transitions between incident states. From a results perspective, the workflow ensures that only verified incidents progress to damage assessment and analytical stages. This reduces data noise and enhances the reliability of the incident database for subsequent spatial and temporal analysis. The linkage between incident records and damage assessment polygons further enables systematic evaluation of fire impacts across forest types and administrative units.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.2 Spatial patterns of fire hazard and exposure\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe integrated fire risk visualization produced by NFFIS reveals clear spatial patterns in fire hazard and exposure across Kosovo. As shown in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, areas of extreme and very high fire hazard are concentrated primarily in western and central regions, particularly within forested mountainous zones. These zones coincide with extensive high-value forest areas, indicating elevated potential for ecological and economic losses during periods of extreme fire conditions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOverlaying settlement locations with hazard and forest value layers highlights areas where human exposure intersects with elevated fire risk. This spatial coincidence identifies priority zones for enhanced monitoring, preparedness, and preventive measures. The ability to visualize these overlaps within a single spatial framework represents a significant advancement over traditional hazard-only mapping approaches. The interactive analytical functions demonstrated in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e further allow users to quantify affected areas and exposed elements for selected administrative units. For example, aggregated statistics for specific municipalities provide estimates of forest area under extreme hazard, high-value forest surface at risk, and the number of exposed settlements. These outputs support evidence-based prioritization of response resources and preventive interventions. Beyond visualization, NFFIS provides analytical functions that transform raw spatial data into decision-relevant information. Users can perform spatial queries, define areas of interest, and generate summary statistics related to fire occurrence, hazard levels, and exposed assets. Temporal navigation tools enable comparison of fire patterns across different years and seasons, supporting identification of recurring hotspots and long-term trends. The automated alerting mechanism constitutes another important result of the system implementation. When satellite-detected hotspots or elevated hazard indicators intersect with high-risk forest zones or sensitive areas, alerts are disseminated through the system dashboard and external communication channels. This functionality enhances situational awareness and supports timely coordination among emergency services and forestry authorities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.3 Implications for climate adaptation and risk management\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe results demonstrate that NFFIS functions not only as an operational monitoring tool but also as a geospatial information infrastructure capable of supporting longer-term climate adaptation strategies. By combining hazard indicators with exposure and asset information, the system enables a shift from reactive fire suppression toward risk-informed planning and prevention. The availability of a centralized historical fire database supports analysis of changes in fire frequency, spatial distribution, and severity over time. Such analysis is essential for assessing climate-related trends and informing adaptive forest management policies. While further integration with additional climate variables and multi-hazard systems would enhance analytical depth, the current implementation already provides a robust foundation for evidence-based fire risk management.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"5 Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe findings of this study indicate that the National Forest Fire Information System functions as a geospatial information infrastructure rather than a standalone operational application. Its layered architecture and service-oriented design align with principles widely discussed in spatial data infrastructure research, particularly regarding modularity, interoperability, and long-term sustainability of national geospatial platforms (Masser \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e; Nativi et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Rajabifard et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). Such characteristics are increasingly recognized as essential for systems that must integrate heterogeneous environmental data sources while supporting multiple institutional users and evolving analytical requirements. A central contribution of NFFIS lies in its integration of satellite-derived fire detections, meteorological observations, and institutional incident reporting within a unified spatial framework. Previous research has shown that reliance on single data streams limits the interpretability and reliability of wildfire information systems, particularly under conditions of increased climatic variability (Bowman et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e; Chuvieco et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e; Abatzoglou and Williams \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). By combining MODIS and VIIRS active fire products with ground-based meteorological inputs used to derive fire danger indices, NFFIS provides a more robust representation of fire hazard conditions, consistent with best practices in wildfire early warning and monitoring systems (Giglio et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e; Eugenio et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e; Yebra et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe structured incident reporting and verification workflow embedded within NFFIS further enhances the analytical value of the system. As illustrated in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e, controlled transitions between incident states ensure that only verified events propagate into damage assessment and analytical layers. This addresses a common limitation identified in wildfire databases, where inconsistent reporting practices and lack of verification undermine longitudinal analyses and policy evaluation (Bowman et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e; Miller and Ager \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e). The linkage between incident records and spatially explicit damage assessments supports systematic comparison of fire impacts across administrative units and forest types, contributing to institutional learning and accountability.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn important outcome highlighted by the results is the system\u0026rsquo;s ability to support a shift from hazard-focused mapping toward risk-informed spatial analysis. The integrated visualization shown in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e demonstrates how fire hazard indicators can be combined with exposure elements such as high-value forest areas and settlements. This approach corresponds with contemporary wildfire risk frameworks that emphasize the interaction between hazard, exposure, and vulnerability rather than hazard alone (Chuvieco et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e; Tedim et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Ager et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). By enabling quantification of exposed assets and identification of priority zones, NFFIS supports preventive planning, resource allocation, and targeted preparedness measures in a way that traditional detection-oriented systems cannot.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrom a climate change adaptation perspective, the availability of a centralized, chronologically structured fire database is particularly significant. Numerous studies have documented shifts in fire regimes linked to rising temperatures, extended droughts, and changes in vegetation conditions (Bowman et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e; Jolly et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; Abatzoglou and Williams \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). While NFFIS does not yet incorporate predictive fire behavior models or climate scenario projections, its architecture and data organization provide a foundation for future integration of such components. This aligns with recent calls for flexible geospatial infrastructures capable of supporting adaptive decision making under conditions of uncertainty (Giuliani et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Rajabifard et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe discussion also underscores the importance of institutional coordination and governance in realizing the benefits of geospatial information systems. NFFIS is actively used by multiple agencies with distinct mandates, including emergency management, forestry, and environmental authorities. Shared access to standardized spatial information supports a common operational picture and reduces fragmentation in decision making, a challenge frequently identified in disaster risk management and early warning contexts (Masser \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e; Nativi et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Basher \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e). However, sustained effectiveness depends on continued capacity building, data sharing agreements, and institutional commitment to maintaining and evolving the system. Several limitations should be acknowledged. The analytical functionality of NFFIS remains primarily descriptive and exploratory, and explicit representation of uncertainty is not currently implemented. Moreover, systematic evaluation of how the system influences operational decisions and outcomes was beyond the scope of this study. Future research could combine system analysis with user-centered evaluations, predictive modeling, and scenario-based approaches to further enhance the system\u0026rsquo;s contribution to adaptive wildfire management (Giuliani et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Ager et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Johnston et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOverall, the discussion demonstrates that NFFIS represents a substantive step toward integrated, risk-informed forest fire management in Kosovo. Its design and functionality are consistent with contemporary geoinformation science principles and provide a scalable foundation for future development in response to increasing wildfire risk under climate change.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"6 Conclusions","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study examined the National Forest Fire Information System as a national-scale Web-based geospatial information infrastructure supporting forest fire management and climate change adaptation in Kosovo. By adopting a system-oriented analytical approach, the research assessed how the system\u0026rsquo;s architecture, data integration, and analytical functionalities enable the collection, management, and interpretation of forest fire information beyond immediate operational needs. The results demonstrate that NFFIS successfully integrates satellite-derived fire detections, meteorological observations, and institutional incident reporting within a centralized spatial database. This integration supports consistent spatial and temporal representation of fire activity and enables exploratory analysis of fire hazard, exposure, and impact patterns. The system\u0026rsquo;s structured incident workflow and standardized documentation enhance data reliability and provide a foundation for retrospective analysis and institutional learning.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA key contribution of NFFIS lies in its ability to support a transition from hazard-focused monitoring toward risk-informed spatial analysis. By combining fire hazard indicators with high-value forest areas and settlement exposure, the system enables identification of priority zones for prevention, preparedness, and targeted response. This integrated approach aligns with contemporary wildfire risk management frameworks and addresses the increasing complexity of fire regimes under climate variability.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrom a geoinformation science perspective, the findings highlight the importance of viewing national fire information systems as socio-technical infrastructures embedded within governance and institutional contexts. The effectiveness of NFFIS is closely linked to inter-agency coordination, shared data standards, and sustained capacity building, emphasizing that technical solutions alone are insufficient for effective disaster risk management. While the system currently focuses on descriptive and exploratory analysis, its architecture provides a scalable foundation for future enhancements, including integration of additional climate datasets, predictive modeling, and uncertainty representation. Further research combining system analysis with user-centered evaluations and decision outcome assessments would strengthen understanding of how such platforms influence operational and strategic fire management practices.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOverall, NFFIS represents a significant advancement in Kosovo\u0026rsquo;s forest fire management capacity and illustrates how Web-based geospatial information infrastructures can support adaptive, risk-informed decision making in regions facing increasing wildfire risk due to climate change.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eP.A. conceptualized the study, led the system analysis, and wrote the main manuscript text. Y.K. contributed to the methodological design, data interpretation, and critical revision of the manuscript. B.A. supported the technical analysis of the geospatial system architecture and contributed to figure preparation and validation of results. All authors reviewed, edited, and approved the final manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbatzoglou JT, Williams AP (2016) Impact of anthropogenic climate change on wildfire across western US forests. \u003cem\u003eProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences\u003c/em\u003e, 113(42), 11770\u0026ndash;11775\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAger AA, Day MA, McHugh CW, Short K, Gilbertson-Day J (2021) Coupling fire spread models and spatial optimization for landscape-scale fuel management planning. Int J Wildland Fire 30(3):181\u0026ndash;196\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBasher R (2006) Global early warning systems for natural hazards: systematic and people-centred. 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Int J Geogr Inf Sci 33(1):1\u0026ndash;26\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"geoinformation systems, webgis, forest fire risk, early warning systems, climate change adaptation","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8745216/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8745216/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eClimate change is significantly altering forest fire regimes through rising temperatures, prolonged drought periods, and changes in vegetation dynamics, leading to increased fire frequency, intensity, and spatial extent. These developments pose serious challenges for forest management, ecosystem protection, and human safety, particularly in small and developing countries with limited institutional and technical capacity. In this context, forest fire information systems play a central role in climate change adaptation by supporting systematic data collection, spatial analysis, and evidence-based decision making.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis paper examines the National Forest Fire Information System as Kosovo\u0026rsquo;s national Web based geospatial platform for forest fire information management and evaluates its contribution to climate change adaptation. The study adopts a system oriented and literature grounded approach, combining analysis of system architecture, data management, and visualization capabilities with insights from international research on geospatial information systems, forest fire management, and early warning frameworks. The analysis focuses on how centralized Web based geospatial platforms can support long term monitoring of fire patterns, enhance situational awareness, and provide a foundation for adaptive risk management under changing climatic conditions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe results show that the National Forest Fire Information System provides essential functionality for centralized storage of forest fire records, interactive spatial visualization, and historical analysis of fire events. At the same time, the study identifies opportunities to strengthen its role in climate adaptation through improved analytical integration, interoperability with environmental data sources, and enhanced support for strategic planning. The paper demonstrates that national Web based geospatial platforms can function as critical components of climate adaptation strategies by transforming operational fire information into long term knowledge for adaptive forest fire risk management.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"A Web Based Geospatial Framework for Forest Fire Information and Climate Change Adaptation","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-02-06 08:22:40","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8745216/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"fc54c02f-b0d4-4976-9d34-781f8a49b364","owner":[],"postedDate":"February 6th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-03-29T05:24:15+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-02-06 08:22:40","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8745216","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8745216","identity":"rs-8745216","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}