The European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) became
operational in 2000. It monitors the EU and neighboring
countries. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the Directorate
General for Environment (DG ENV) of the European Commission (EC)
founded EFFIS to support the services in charge of the
protection of forests against fires as well as to provide
information on forest fires in Europe to EU institutions, such
as EC services and the European Parliament. During the main fire
season from June to September, the following products are
released: daily emails including maps of forecasted fire danger
to forest services and civil protection services of the EU,
quarterly fire statistics for the ongoing season and monthly
newsletters. EFFIS also conducts specific assessments in
response to ad hoc requests due to major forest fire crises. For
longer-term purposes, EFFIS maintains an EU fire database and
prepares annual reports. EFFIS provides: fire danger forecast,
active fire detection, rapid damage assessment, fi