Presidential Decree laying down guidelines relative to the regional plans intended for programming activities connected with the forecast, prevention and fight against forest fires.

Article 3 of Act No. 353 of 2000 on forest fires requires the Regions (and the Autonomous Provinces) to draw up and approve their own plans on the activities to be performed in order to forecast, prevent and combat forest fires. This Decree establishes the guidelines to be followed by the regional authorities when elaborating and approving such plans. Point 2 of the Decree lays down the layout of the plans. The following items shall be envisaged: (I) general framework containing a territorial description along with cartographies and making provision in matter of databases; (II) forecast of forest fires, taking into account the factors that may cause fire-breaks; (III) prevention of forest fires through special actions and initiatives, including dissemination of information and raising of awareness; (IV) fight against forest fires (surveillance, watch-posts, human resources); (V) regional protected nature areas and reserves; (VI) national parks; (VII) funding of the activities covered by the plan.