Forest Fire

Forest fires are not new. They have always been part of many forest ecosystems. In adapted forests, fires are natural disturbance that help maintain and renew the ecosystem and can improve the quality of the habitat in the long run. However, rainforests and tropical forest ecosystems, do not tolerate fires.

In some ecosystems, forest fires start naturally. However, the problem today derives from human-induced fires, which can start from land clearing (plantation or agricultural clearing) and even land tenure conflicts. It is important to consider not just who lights the fire and for what reason, but the increased susceptibility of the areas being lit. Secondary forests, plantations, (protected national parks and agroforestry systems have higher susceptibility of the occurrence of fire.

Policy-makers now realize the importance of fire protection and continued fire management, as emergency response will not prevent large and damaging fires. As a result, sustainable forestry practices, improving the agricultural burning practices and promotion of better regional cooperation in forest fire controls are the strategies being used at present.

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