Background The incidence of forest fires has greatly increased in the last few decades in Hungary. This is due to climate extremes, less precipitation, the increase of mean annual temperature and a series of winters without snowfall. As a result, the period of risk of fire has extended. Not only has the frequency of fires increased, but also their intensity and the speed in which they spread. This was especially true during the extremely hot summers of recent years. A larger area is burnt in these intense forest fires, as they are more difficult to extinguish. Fires are having an increased negative impact on vegetation, as well as the structure of the forest. Objectives The FIRELIFE project is aiming to enhance effective, proactive and continuous forest fire prevention in Hungary. It aims to provide targeted information and messages on the basis of an up-to-date communication framework plan. Some target groups will be involved more deeply through personal contact. As 99% of forest fires are caused by human activity in Hungary, targeted and instant communication can effectively cut the number of forest fires. In order to extend the range of available communication channels and better reach the specified target groups, training courses for teachers, social workers and farmstead caretakers are also planned. Training will also be provided for forest fire prevention experts – foresters, conservationists, fire fighters – through practical indoor and outdoor studies. The courses promote building relationships and better inter-agency cooperation on forest fire prevention. The main messages to be communicated: That 99% of wildfires in Hungary are caused by humans; Prevention takes a second; extinction takes a week; Restoration takes 100 years; Prevent forest fires! Helping hands are YOURS Protect forests, keep the butt! Each euro spent on professional forest fire prevention is worth 100; Fire is a good servant but a bad master; ONLY YOU can help prevent forest fires; and CALCULATE! Prevent forest fires! Expected results: The project’s main expected results are: A 25% fall in the number of forest fires on forest fire hazardous days in the spring forest fire season by the end of the project; A 30% fall in the number of forest fires in the summer forest fire season; A 30% fall in the number of forest fires started nearby roads; A 50% rise in awareness of forest fire issue among the general public in highly endangered zones and drivers who smoke; A 70% rise of awareness of forest fire issue among school teachers, authors of schoolbooks, farmstead caretakers and social workers; A 100% rise in awareness of forest fire issue among farmstead owners, farmers and hikers; A 150% rise of awareness of forest fire issue among secondary, elementary and pre-school pupils, forest school pupils; Hired billboards (5.04 x 2.38 m) on timely forest fire danger alongside main roads and motorways; Information and warning boards (2 x 1 m) on timely forest fire danger alongside main roads and minor roads in endangered areas; Information and warning boards on timely forest fire danger near recreation sites, public welfare structures, visitor centres and forest schools; and Printed information leaflets for hikers, forest visitors, car drivers, forestry workers, general public, teachers and forest owners.