Community-based fire management (CBFiM) is increasingly recognized as a vital approach for addressing the growing complexity of wildfire risk, especially in landscapes shaped by diverse socio-ecological dynamics, traditional land-use practices and climate variability. Rooted in participatory governance, tenure security and local knowledge systems, CBFiM enables local communities to be proactive agents in fire prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

In the session we shared bottom-up solutions driving wildfire prevention:

• From Bolivia, Wilver Arezabi Abay, a young Guarayo leader, shared how his community blends tradition, youth, and fire.
• From Uganda, Behayo Kelson, shared how sugarcane factories and communities are working hand-in-hand to prevent and manage forest fires.
• From Lao PDR, Chinda Milayvong, showed how local communities are organized to prevent and manage forest fires.

We highlighted:

• The importance of joint action in the landscape for fire management and wildfire prevention, and the need for facilitation of this process
• The central role that local communities claim as stakeholders
• How effective locally-led fire management can be
• The power of youth leadership

Above all, communities are demanding a more active role in integrated fire management, rooted in their territories, cultures, and ancestral relationships with fire. But they can’t do it alone. Communities need to be equitably involved in formal fire management systems, with support and access to tools, technology, and finance.

Did you miss our session?

• Watch the recording. Our sessions starts in 1:38:00 
• See the photo gallery. © FAO/Roberto Cenciarelli. Editorial use only. Copyright ©FAO.

Contact

To learn more about our initiatives or to collaborate with us, please contact Rosalien Jezeer at rosalien.jezeer@tropenbos.org or Humberto Gomez at humberto.gomez@tropenbos.org