25 years of the Amazonia without Fire program

During the COP16 in Cali, CAF -development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean- highlighted the importance of strengthening regional cooperation to face the growing challenges posed by forest fires in the Amazon region.

This event at CAF's #LaBiodiversidadNosUne Pavilion commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Amazonía Sin Fuego Program, an international cooperation initiative that has promoted forest fire prevention in the Amazon region, good practices in regional cooperation and the results obtained in Brazil, Bolivia and Ecuador.

Since its creation in 1999, the program has worked to train thousands of brigadistas specialized in integrated fire management and to implement alternatives to the use of fire in agricultural activities. These measures have contributed to reducing hot spots and mitigating the impact of fires in areas of high biodiversity.

One of the greatest achievements has been the reduction of fires in critical areas. In Bolivia, for example, there was a 96% reduction in hot spots in the intervention areas, while in Ecuador, this reduction reached 85%. These figures demonstrate the positive impact of the program in protecting ecosystems and improving the living conditions of local communities.

However, the challenges remain. Climate predictions for the coming decades anticipate a 50% increase in the incidence of fires due to deforestation, climate change and the inappropriate use of fire in agriculture. In view of this situation, the experts stressed the need to strengthen national and regional capacities to mitigate risks and improve emergency response. This approach, based on prevention and institutional strengthening, is key to addressing the challenges of forest fire management in the Amazon.

CAF has played a key role in the articulation of efforts for the implementation of public policies and the development of institutional capacities that guarantee a better response to emergencies. Over the years, CAF has worked hand in hand with governments and international organizations to promote the implementation of monitoring, observation and follow-up mechanisms in the region. These tools are essential to improve fire response capacity and to coordinate actions at the regional level, as required by the growing challenge of transboundary fires.

During the event, Pietro Graziani, an expert in fire management, highlighted the importance of Amazonian countries adopting national integrated fire management programs, which is essential to ensure the sustainability of efforts made to date. He said that a regional approach to emergency management should prioritize coordination between countries to harmonize criteria, improve the certification of specialized brigades and ensure funding for mobilization to address transboundary fires, which are expected to increase in the coming decades.

Glenda Ortega, Ecuador's Undersecretary of Natural Heritage, underscored the impact that the FSAP has had on the training of brigades specialized in integrated fire management. These professionals are not only on the front line of firefighting, but also play a crucial role in preventive fire management, participating in controlled burns and supporting other institutions that manage fires in their areas.

Ecuador, as one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, faces the responsibility of protecting species of flora and fauna that, in many cases, only exist in its ecosystems. This makes the implementation of programs such as the FSAP vital for the conservation of its biodiversity. Cooperation between environmental authorities and the national government has been a key factor in this success, allowing fire prevention and firefighting actions to be more effective and coordinated.

The coming years will be crucial for the Amazon region in the fight against forest fires, and international cooperation will continue to be a fundamental pillar for the success of these initiatives. The integration of national integrated fire management policies, supported by regional cooperation, will be key to addressing the climate challenges that threaten biodiversity and the well-being of local communities.