The Wildfire Data Portal (WDP, https://wildfiredataportal.eu/) is an open-access digital system that provides fire behaviour datasets and modelling tools specifically focused on pyroconvection. It addresses a critical gap: the disconnect between academic research and the practical needs of emergency managers facing Extreme Wildfire Events. The WDP provides a robust, centralised repository where empirical data is systematically archived, encompassing both field observations and advanced model outputs. By implementing standardised protocols for data collection, the platform ensures that information remains scientifically sound and operationally relevant. This allows the research community to finally validate their theoretical models against real-world datasets, focusing on the novel complexities of extreme fire behaviour. Beyond its role as a database, the WDP is a mission-critical resource that strengthens European capacity. Historically, wildfire knowledge has been led by other global hubs like the USA; however, the WDP capitalizes on European expertise to build a self-reliant network. It offers an intuitive environment where decision-makers, from local fire services to EU-level institutions (ERCC and the JRC), can access cutting-edge weather-fire coupled simulation tools to understand pyroconvection. This knowledge transfer is fundamental for enhancing strategic decision-making during incidents where the relationship between fire dynamics and atmospheric conditions is not yet well understood. The portal, a result of the EWED project, is designed for long-term sustainability to ensure that European collective expertise translates into a more prepared and resilient wildfire community. It provides the tools to decode pyroconvection-driven events, empowering professionals and giving value to regional science. By fostering this capability, the WDP ensures Europe is not just a consumer of external knowledge, but a global leader in wildfire intelligence.
The ambition of the Wildfire Data Portal is to end the fragmentation of wildfire data by establishing a unified standard for practitioners and researchers while adding a new layer of novel science on pyroconvection. Currently, the understandings of Extreme Wildfire Events is hindered by a lack of standardised data that connects atmospheric dynamics with ground operations. The WDP resolves this by collecting unprecedented raw field data that allows for the creation of new knowledge and models to understand the impact and pyroconvection in fire behaviour. Our goal is to transform this landscape through a TRL 7 solution that integrates advanced fire-atmosphere coupled simulations with these unique real-world observations. This shift from reactive suppression to proactive, evidence-based approaches addresses an urgent need for first responders across Europe—a challenge that can only be solved through the type of large-scale collaborative research we apply, bridging the gap between high-level science and the front line. The WDP aspires to become a permanent pillar of the European research infrastructure, providing an open-access space where scientists can validate their models against consistent datasets. By aligning with the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, our ambition is to foster cross-border interoperability, integrating data from diverse ecosystems both within and beyond Europe. This circular flow of knowledge is essential for a fire-resilient society, ensuring every tactical decision is backed by collective global experience that sets the new standard for wildfire data management.
The innovation of the Wildfire Data Portal lies in its ability to operationalise complex atmospheric science into a standardised, user-centric interface. The WDP architecture integrates ground-level observations with vertical atmospheric profiles and fire-atmosphere coupled simulations. This allows for the analysis of Extreme Wildfire Events scenarios through modelling tools, providing high level of detail to fire-specialised operational personnel. By translating these scientific outputs into intuitive tools, the WDP bridges the gap between advanced research and the firefighting frontline. A key technical innovation is the implementation of standardised field-data collection protocols. These ensure that data collected during emergencies is interoperable and high-quality, regardless of the agency or geography. This is a significant advance over the current state-of-the-art, where data remains siloed or in incompatible formats. Furthermore, the portal incorporates a validation system that guarantees repository integrity, making it a reliable benchmark for both tactical decisions, models and training. At TRL 7, the WDP has been proven in operational environments across Europe and beyond. It facilitates a feedback loop where researchers validate simulations and models against real-world data provided by fire services. This systematic approach to data standardisation ensures that European disaster management moves towards an integrated approach.
The operational capacity of the WDP is rooted on a direct need expressed by wildfire practitioners and researchers across Europe and beyond. As a key output of the EWED project, the platform benefits from a mature technical infrastructure and a consortium with decades of experience in wildfire emergency management. This is not a standalone experiment but a consolidated line of work. Our operational strength lies in this synergy: while research institutions provide the computational and modelling excellence, the firefighting agencies ensure the portal meets the rigorous demands of the wildfire community. We have established a clear roadmap to ensure the WDP remains a permanent resource beyond the project lifecycle. This involves dedicated hosting and maintenance protocols, ensuring that the repository and its simulation tools remain accessible and updated. By integrating the portal into the daily training and operational workflows of our partner agencies and opening it to the wider EU network, we guarantee that the platform remains a living tool. To guarantee long-term sustainability, we have already secured funding for the next two years. This ongoing commitment ensures that the technical and human resources required to support the European fire community are secured for the long term to provide a stable, reliable infrastructure.
The WDP is the result of a multidisciplinary consortium led by the Pau Costa Foundation, bridging the gap between fire ecology, research, and frontline operations. The team integrates the scientific and technical expertise of Wageningen University & Research and the Netherlands Institute for Public Safety with the operational experience of the Catalan, Hellenic, and Grenland Fire and Rescue Services. This collaboration ensures the portal and the generated knowledge and science are built on real-
The WDP is the result of a multidisciplinary consortium led by the Pau Costa Foundation, bridging the gap between fire ecology, research, and frontline operations. The team integrates the scientific and technical expertise of Wageningen University & Research and the Netherlands Institute for Public Safety with the operational experience of the Catalan, Hellenic, and Grenland Fire and Rescue Services. This collaboration ensures the portal and the generated knowledge and science are built on real-