Residents Can Assess Home Vulnerability
Terrassa residents in forest-adjacent areas can now check their home's wildfire risk using a free mobile app launched this week. The FIREPRIME app, developed under a European Union-funded project, allows users to assess structural and environmental vulnerabilities of their properties and receive official recommendations to improve safety. The tool was presented to Terrassa’s civil protection councillor, Ruth Hibernón, by technical staff from the Barcelona Provincial Council (Diputació de Barcelona), which is supporting the rollout.
How the App Works
The FIREPRIME app combines two types of data: regional wildfire hazard levels from the European Copernicus programme, and user-submitted details about individual homes. Residents answer questions about construction materials, roof type, window frames, balconies, drainage systems, nearby vegetation, fencing, and presence of flammable materials. Users can choose between a basic 10-question yes/no assessment for a quick risk estimate, or an advanced 23-question survey that provides deeper analysis. After submission, the app generates a personalised risk rating and practical advice on reducing vulnerability.
This app gives people living near forests clear, science-based steps they can take to protect their homes.
The app also lets users update their assessments after making changes, showing in real time how modifications reduce risk levels. It includes infographics and access to official self-protection guidelines during emergencies.
Rollout Begins in High-Risk Areas
Information about the app has already been distributed to residents in the Caus – Els Pinetons and El Molinot housing developments. The Barcelona Provincial Council plans to extend outreach to other urbanisations and isolated homes in the coming weeks.
Developed by UPC with EU Support
The app was developed by the Software Engineering and AI-Based Systems Group (GESSI) at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), using a risk algorithm co-designed with Austria’s BOKU University, Sweden’s RISE Research Institutes, and UPC’s Centre for Technological Risk Studies (CERTEC). The FIREPRIME project is part of the European Programme for Wildfire-Prepared Communities and includes partners such as the Open University of Catalonia (UOC) and the Pau Costa Foundation. It received funding from the European Union. The app is free and available in Catalan, Spanish, English, German, and Swedish on App Store and Google Play.
Primary sources: upc.edu, civil-protection-knowledge-network.europa.eu, diba.cat, gessi.upc.edu, certec.upc.edu, cit.upc.edu. Reported by monterrassa.cat, Publicat per internacional el 31 d'agost de 2026 31 d'agost de 2026, fireprime.eu, paucostafoundation.org, rapidresponse.copernicus.eu, MónTerrassa.
