‘SINAMI’: a tool for the economic evaluation of forest fire management programs in Mediterranean ecosystems

Historically, in Spain and most European countries, forest fire budgets have never been subjected to an objective and rigorous economic analysis indicative of the returns on investments in fire management protection programs. Thus far we have witnessed expansive growth of costs without any investment planning. New economic realities and more focussed oversight by regulating organisations are forcing agencies with fire protection responsibilities to formally justify their fire protection budget requests. The fire economics evaluation system described here (SINAMI) is the first attempt by Spain’s National Forest System to help agencies with fire responsibilities perform an economic analysis of their budget requests for fire management and protection. SINAMI uses a marginal analysis and the economic criterion of cost-plus-net-value change (C+NVC) to determine the most efficient program and budget level for fire protection for a simulated fire season. The results are used in establishing strategic fire management plans to respond to historical fire situations. The model also provides information on number of fires and area affected by fire intensity level, as well as the number and type of firefighting resources used through the simulated fire season. The SINAMI model is based on the original structure of the National Fire Management Analysis System developed by the USDA Forest Service, expanded and adapted to Spanish conditions.