REGIONAL SOUTH AMERICA WILDLAND FIRE NETWORK

A Region of the Global Wildland Fire Network

Wildland Fire Monitoring and Early Warning

Real-time Monitoring of active wildland fires and early warning

The GFMC provides a comprehensive link section to Early Warning and Monitoring of Wildland fires in Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Neighbouring Countries:

Regional real-time fire emission modeling
Regional cooperation agreements, programmes, and initiatives

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REGIONAL SOUTH AMERICA WILDLAND FIRE NETWORK

A Region of the Global Wildland Fire Network


Meetings, Conferences, Wildland Fire Training

 Archived Meetings

UNESCO Series of Webinars
“Cambio climático y gestión integral de incendios”

Within the frame of the UNESCO Series of Webinars “Cambio climático y gestión integral de incendios” – Webinar 5 “¿Hacia dónde ir? Manejo integral del fuego” (Where to next: Integrated Fire Management) was held on 29 September 2021.

International ACTO / OTCA Seminar
“Integrated Fire Management: Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance for Integrated Fire Management among ACTO / OTCA Member Countries”

On 12 August 2021, the International ACTO / OTCA Seminar “Integrated Fire Management: Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance for Integrated Fire Management among ACTO / OTCA Member Countries” was held.

On 25 November 2020 an Online Consultation was held to initiate the formation of the National Committee for Integrated Fire Management of Ecuador (Comité Nacional De Manejo Integral del Fuego el Ecuador – CONAMIF) – a key activity of the trilateral project between Ecuador, Brazil and Costa Rica (2019-2021), with the support of GFMC “Strengthening Technical and Institutional Capacities in Ecuador in Integrated Fire Management in Conservation Areas” (Cooperación Trilateral Ecuador – Brasil – Costa Rica – Alemania: “Fortalecimiento de las Capacidades Técnicas e Institucionales en el Ecuador para el Manejo Integral del Fuego en Áreas de Conservación”); . This is an activity of the Programa Amazonia Sin Fuego (PASF). The meeting was organized by the Ministerio del Ambiente y Agua del Ecuador (MAAE), GFMC and Quito (Ecuador) / Online.

Seventh International Wildland Fire Conference (IWFC-7)

Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil., 28 October – 01 November 2019

The 7th International Wildland Fire Conference (IWFC-7) “Facing Fire in a Changing World: Reducing Vulnerability of People and Landscapes by Integrated Fire Management” took place in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, between 28 October and 1 November 2019. IWFC-7 was hosted by the Government of Brazil, the State of Mato Grosso do Sul and the city of Campo Grande and organized by IBAMA and Prevfogo. The conference was attended by more than a thousand government officials, scientists, practitioners, the private sector and civil society from 37 countries, and by UN agencies and other international and regional organizations. The participants of the conference confirmed that in many regions of the world, wildfires are a growing threat to communities and to natural, cultural, rural, urban and industrial landscapes. The conference participants concluded that the paradigm of addressing the problem through individual and disconnected services and actions in fire prevention or suppression should be reframed. Unified and integral planning must ensure and strengthen societal, environmental and economic resilience to landscape fires.

IWFC-7 Side Meeting between the Regional South America Wildland Fire Network, GFMC and the Secretariat of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO)

Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, 31 October 2019

In following-up the public and political attention on use of fire in land use and land-use change (deforestation) in South America, notably in the Amazon region, the leadership of the Regional South America Wildland Fire Network, the Global Fire Monitoring Center (GFMC) (Secretariat of the Global Wildland Fire Network) and the Secretariat of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) met at the occasion of IWFC-7.

ACTO Technical Report, describing the past and envisaged future involvement and cooperation in fire management in Amazonia:

Side meeting with Lara Steil, Co-Coordinator of the Regional South America Wildland Fire Network (left), Ambassodor Carlos Lazary Texeira, Director Ejecutivo SP/ACTO, and GFMC Director Johann Georg Goldammer, discussing the future cooperation agenda.
Photo: ACTO Secretariat.

Meeting of the International Liaison Committee (ILC) and the Brazilian Conference Organizing Committee for the 7th International Wildland Fire Conference (IWFC-7)

Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, 27 October 2019

ILC members and hosts of IWFC-7 in good spirit at the eve of the conference. Photo: ILC

International Seminar on Planning and Prevention of Landscape Fires and the Role of Landscape Restoration

Santiago de Chile, Chile, 20-21 June 2019

The International Seminar on Planning and Prevention of Landscape Fires and the Role of Landscape Restoration was organized by the Corporación Nacional Forestal (CONAF) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) under the Initiative 20×20, sponsored by the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. The seminar was supported by the GFMC opening keynote address Landscape fires in the new landscape global scenario. Vision of the Global Fire Monitoring Center“.

The Seminar Group, hosted by the Chilean Wildfire Prevention Mascot Forestín.GFMC Director Johann Georg Goldammer delivering the keynote address.Several seminar inputs were provided by video conference.Workshop organizer Patricio Sanhueza (left) and the Executive Director of CONAF, Jose Manuel Rebolledo, in discussion with the head of GFMC. Photos: Ricardo San Martin, CONAF

The Wildfire Emergency in Chile 2017: The Follow-up Process

Second Regional Symposium and Consultation on Cross-boundary Cooperation in Fire Management in South America

On 2-3 October 2017, the National Forest Corporation of Chile (Corporación Nacional Forestal – CONAF) and GFMC convened the Second Regional Symposium and Consultation on Cross-boundary Cooperation in Fire Management in South America in Viña del Mar, Chile. The consultation was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Public Safety, and the Ministry of Agriculture of Chile, with the patronage of the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). The Consultation was attended by delegates of organizations and agencies of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The participants of the consultation released the Declaración de Viña del Mar 2017 / Declaration of Viña del Mar 2017 on Cross-Boundary Cooperation in Fire Management in South America:

Country representatives from nine South American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela) agreed on the “Viña del Mar Declaration on Cross-boundary Cooperation in Fire Management”. Photo: CONAF. 

The Wildfire Emergency in Chile 2017: Initiation of the Follow-up Process

The wildfire emergency in Chile in early 2017 has demonstrated need and urgency to take the next steps towards the creation of interoperability between neighboring nations for wildfire crisis management. Common standards for training and firefighting operations are essential for enhancing the preparedness for cooperative safe, effective and efficient wildfire response. The GFMC and the Chilean authorities decided to follow up the symposium held in Uruguay in 2016 and to convene a second regional event – entitled Second Regional Consultation on Regional Cooperation in Cross-boundary Fire Management in South America. The consultation will be held in Chile, 2-3 October 2017.

     
On-site visit of regional fire management teams, reconnaissance flights of burned areas and political consultations with the Corporacion Nacional Forestal (CONAF) and other Chilean agencies (Photos: CONAF)


Regional Seminar on Integrated Fire Management in Tocantins

At this seminar, the results of the Project Cerrado Jalapao were presented, discussed and further steps agreed upon. A highlight of the seminar was opening of the Centro de Monitoramento Ambiental e Manejo do Fogo (Center for Environmental Monitoring and Fire Management); Federal University of Tocantins, Center of Environmental Monitoring and Fire Management, Gurupi, Brazil, 22-23 November 2016.

Primer Simposio Regional de Cooperación en Manejo del Fuego Inter-Fronterizo en Sudamérica,

Parque Nacional Santa Teresa, Uruguay, 30 de Mayo al 02 Junio 2016


Participants of the Regional Symposium

National Round Table on Fire Management in Uruguay, supported / facilitated by GFMC and the Regional South America Wildland Fire Network; Dirección Nacional de Bomberos, Montevideo, Uruguay (2 June 2016).


Participants of the First National Round Table on Fire Management at the National Directorate of the Fire Service, Montevideo, Uruguay

I Curso Internacional Gestión en Protección Contra Incendios Forestales, international course hosted in Chile and supported by the International Cooperation Agencies of AGSID (Chile) and JICA (Japan), Chile (21 March – 08 April 2016)

Doctorado en Ecología y Gestión de Fuegos de Vegetación, PhD program organized by the Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Chubut, Argentina (2016)

Fire management field campaign at Ecological Station Serra Geral do Tocantins and in State Park Jalapão; State of Tocantins, Brazil (6-10 July 2013)






Seminar Fire Management in Protected Areas, hosted by the Brazilian Ministry of Environment, with GFMC contribution Fire Management on Protected Areas with particular emphasis on UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites; Training Academy of Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation / National Academy of Biodiversity (ACADEBio), Floresta Nacional de Ipanema, Iperó, State of São Paulo, Brazil. (2-5 July 2013)


Group Photo of Brazilian and International Seminar participants (4 July 2013)

International Workshop on Fire Management as a Tool for Wildfire Prevention, a collaboration activity between JICA Brasil and the National Center for Wild Fire Prevention and Combat Prevfogo, under the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Natural Renewable Resources Ibama. The workshop was supported with participation of the Global Wildland Fire Network and a GFMC presentation by the coordinator of the UNISDR Regional Subsahara Wildland Fire Network; Brasilia, Brazil (12-14 March 2012)

See GFMC Web pages on other wildland fire meetings and training at:

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REGIONAL SOUTH AMERICA WILDLAND FIRE NETWORK

A Region of the Global Wildland Fire Network

     Introduction and Network Coordination

Since the 1990s a number of regional initiatives have been underway in South America to enhance international cooperation in wildland fire research and management. The Brazilian National Space Research Institute (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais – INPE) and the Center for Weather Prediction and Climate Studies (Centro de Previsão de Tempo e Estudos Climáticos – CPTEC) have expanded the domestic scope of work and product delivery. Since 2002 INPE is providing daily data on fire monitoring and fire-weather prediction specifically (detailed) for Brazil and Peru and in an overview format for all South American Countries. In June 2004 representatives of South American countries met in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, to formally establish partnerships and a regional network to enhance international cooperation in wildland fire management. The foundation meeting of the network was held in conjunction with the 3rd South American Symposium on Wildland Fire Control and the 7th Joint Technical Meeting FUPEF/SIF/IPEF on Wildland Fire Control, 14-17 June 2004, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.

Between 2004 and 2006 the FAO and GFMC supported the development of a “Strategy for Cooperation in Fire Management in South America”, which was part of the “Regional Strategy for Cooperation in Fire Management in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In March 2007 the “Secretaría de Coordinación del Grupo de Trabajo de América del Sur” (at IBAMA / PREVFOGO) (see web page “coordination”) and the Regional Office and Secretariat of the FAO Regional Forestry Commission of Latin America and the Caribbean (Comisión Forestal para América Latina y el Caribe – COFLAC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding and a Work Plan for cooperation and networking in South America.

The next meeting of the regional network took place in the frame of the 5th South American Symposium and 9th Technical Joint Assembly FUPEF / SIF / IPEF on “Forest Fire Control” and 9th Joint Technical FUPEF / SIF / IPEF Meeting on “Forest Fire Control” (V Simpósio Sul-Americano e 9ª. Reunião Técnica Conjunta FUPEF / SIF / IPEF sobre “Controle de incêndios Florestais”; durante a realização da Semana Florestal Brasileira) in Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil (11-12 April 2011).

The International Workshop on Fire Management as a Tool for Wildfire Prevention was held from 12 to 14 March 2012, a collaboration activity between JICA Brasil and the National Center for Wild Fire Prevention and Combat Prevfogo, under the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Natural Renewable Resources Ibama. The workshop was proposed as a follow up seminar with the goal to discuss a major hot topic in Brazilian forest conservation management the relationship between forest fire prevention and the use of prescribed fire as an integrated tool of fire management. The main objectives of this workshop were to provide a forum for international exchange on a somewhat controversial topic in Brazil – the use of prescribed fire – as well as to obtain a picture of what African countries with similar geography and challenges with wildland fires may be able to gain from cooperating with Brazil in the area of fire management.

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REGIONAL SOUTH AMERICA WILDLAND FIRE NETWORK

A Region of the Global Wildland Fire Network

 Background Information, Regional and National Wildland Fire Reports

The following reports provide background information on wildland fire in South America.

Depopulation of rural landscapes exacerbates fire activity in the western Amazon
This study conducted in the Peruvian Amazon that not only drought and proximity to roads increase fire frequency, but also decreases in rural populations as an additional factor. Farmer survey data suggest that increased burn scar frequency and size reflect increased flammability of emptying rural landscapes and reduced capacity to control fire. With rural populations projected to decline, more frequent drought, and expansion of road infrastructure, fire risk is likely to increase in western Amazonia. Source: Uriarte, M., Pinedo-Vasquez, M., DeFries, R.S., Fernandes, K., Gutierrez-Velez, V., Baethgen, W.E., Padoch, C. (2012) Depopulation of rural landscapes exacerbates fire activity in the western Amazon. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. Vol. 109, No. 52, 21546-21550.

From Forest to Field: How Fire is transforming the Amazon
This document, elaborated in June 2004, is analyzing how fire is transforming the Amazon. Before widespread human settlement began to encroach on the borders of South America’s Amazon forests, there was no such thing as an Amazon fire season. Now, fire may pose the biggest threat to the survival of the Amazon ecosystem. The document is located on the following website of Earth Observatory:

UNEP Regional Latin America and Caribbean Fire Report
The UNEP Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, Division of Early Warning and Assessment, has published an updated regional wildland fire analysis for the region:

Latin America Wildfire Situation 2003
At the International Wildland Fire Summit (8 October 2003) a paper jointly authored by representatives from Mexico and Chile was presented:

FAO Global Forest Fire Assessment 1990-2000
The Global Fire Report includes a South America Region Fire Assessment (Chapter 7). The complete file can be downloaded on the FAO and the GFMC websites at:

FAO Regional Wildland Fire Assessment 2005
As a supplement and complement to the Global Forest Resources Assessment, 2005, twelve regional reports published as Working Paper have been prepared by regional and country contributing authors to provide a greater depth of data and information on fire incidence, impact, and management issues relating to the twelve UN-ISDR Regional Wildland Fire Networks around the world.

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GlobalNet


Regional South America Wildland
FireManagement Network

ARegion of the Global Wildland Fire Network


                        Apagando incendios en el Amazonas

                            Spanish   –    English

Tal vez resulte particularmente difícil para muchas personas imaginar los efectos nocivos de los incendios en el Amazonas, así como poder abordar todos los detalles e implicancias.

Categóricamente y de forma acelerada, la selva va perdiendo en cantidad y calidad sus valores naturales y culturales, ante la pasible y cómplice mirada del hombre.

Algo más que incendios
Comenzando con la llegada de los primeros Europeos, el conocimiento implícito en cada hoja y gramo de tierra se ha venido subestimando en esta región. Donde histórica y deliberadamente, también se desconocieron los valores intrínsecos y particulares de los sistemas de vida, de las naciones indígenas establecidas y sus territorios ancestrales.

De forma preocupante, esa subestima también se prolonga hasta nuestros días por la gran mayoría de las personas. Descendientes y nativos que adoptaron y practican un modelo de vida consumista deliberado, colmado de necesidades infundadas.

Mentalizados equivocadamente a aplicar nuevos y pseudo modelos de desarrollo, van “limpiando” de forma sistemática (principalmente a fuerza de fuego), vastos territorios de vegetación selvática, para fines estrictamente productivos y comerciales.
Transformando penosamente: vida, paisajes, conocimiento y cultura, en algunas monedas. Las que ciertamente no tendrán más valor algún día.

A mayor cantidad de necesidades infundadas que se generan dentro y fuera de la región Amazónica, tanto más impactos se abaten sobre ella de forma directa o indirecta. Muchos de ellos materializados exclusivamente en grandes incendios.

Y en este preciso punto, radica la participación y responsabilidad directa de todos. Un verdadero ajuste en los modelos, percepción y responsabilidad global en los problemas.
Lo que de no ajustar a corto plazo, nos llevará seguramente a inciertos desenlaces.

Finalizando, nos resta exponer que el poder del fuego ha sido terrible para los ecosistemas y sus habitantes. Con el fuego no solo se han perdido especies, individuos y servicios ambientales, también preciada cultura.

Apagar los incendios amazónicos siempre fue y será una consecuencia generada directamente de una causa: el escaso valor otorgado a los ecosistemas, a la vida en todas sus manifestaciones y resultados, inclusive la propia vida humana.

Sobre las fotos enviadas
Refieren a las actividades de formación de Guardaparques, dentro de un curso desarrollado en el estado de Amapá-Brasil.
Durante el curso, y cuando el personal estaba en el descanso del mediodía ecuatorial, bajo una sensación térmica que superaba los 40 grados, llegó el aviso de un incendio en las proximidades.
Este incendio de carácter intencional generado sobre la vegetación, implicaba un riesgo directo no solo para la pérdida de la cobertura vegetal y fauna que allí habitaban, sino también para la vida y patrimonio de algunas familias pobres que tenían sus modestas casas y cultivos de subsistencia en las inmediaciones.

Dentro del grupo que había pasado por un entrenamiento previo de combate y manejo de fuego algunos días atrás, la pregunta fue: que hacemos?.
Y por decisión unánime de alumnos e instructores, la respuesta no se hizo esperar: “vamos a apagarlo!!”

Así fue, que con más voluntad que equipos necesarios y suficientes para el combate a incendios, entramos en acción al mediodía, justo a la peor hora.
Precisamente cuando las llamas se esparcen velozmente por el aire debido a las condiciones de alta temperatura y uno siente que el calor resulta insoportable para el cuerpo.

A esas alturas y en un santiamén, el incendio ya había arrasado plenamente y convertido a cenizas unas 3 hectáreas. Aproximándose peligrosamente a unas construcciones y plantaciones tradicionales de “coqueros”.
Racionalmente, parecía no tener control, y faltaba poco para que también ingresara en una zona en la cual ya sería imposible el combate, debido a la espesura de la vegetación y la cantidad de materia seca a disposición.

Oportunamente entramos en acción, muy motivados y contando solo con una organización de combate y abundante prudencia como base.
No teníamos agua, ni palas, ni implementos especializados. Pero mientras unos cortaban ramas, otros hacían lo que podían organizadamente sobre la línea de fuego con lo que tenían a mano. Se respiraba mucho humo, pero también coraje y determinación en el aire. El equipo conformado por unas 35 personas, se auto motivaba a cada instante.

Cuando por causa del humo, altas temperaturas, peligrosidad de las llamas, gran dimensión del fuego, falta de agua e implementos, pensábamos que no podría ser posible. Surgieron las esperanzas en algunos de los frentes donde manteníamos el combate directo. Por lo que paso a paso, se fue dominando la situación.

Posteriormente al intenso combate, restos humeantes fueron apagados, y al concluir totalmente las tareas, un destacamento de bomberos se hizo presente.

Felizmente nuestro equipo de protectores había realizado su contribución de una manera muy eficiente y profesional.

El haber tenido la oportunidad de vivir aquella experiencia tan contundente y con resultados positivos junto a los colegas, fue muy gratificante.
Viviendas y estructuras de vecinos, plantíos de subsistencia, vegetación nativa y nicho ecológico de algunas especies fueron salvos.

Pero, hasta cuando estaremos combatiendo incendios?
 


 
 
 
 

 

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GlobalNet


Regional South America Wildland
FireManagement Network

ARegion of the Global Wildland Fire Network


                              Fighting fires in the Amazon

                                    Spanish   –    English

Perhaps it could be difficult for many people to imagine the damage caused by fires in the Amazon, as well as understanding the details and full extent of the implications.

Rapidly and categorically, the forest is losing its natural and cultural values, as a direct result of human actions.

Something more than fires
Since the arrival of the first European in the Amazon, the implicit knowledge in each leaf and gram of earth has been underestimated. Historically, the intrinsic values of ecosystems, the established indigenous nations and their ancestral territories were also not known.

Of some concern, this lack of understanding continues today amongst a majority of people, including descendants and natives who adopt a life of deliberate consumerism, overwhelmed by unfounded needs.

Encouraged, incorrectly, to apply new and pseudo development models, these people undertake a systematic “cleaning”, primarily by fire, of vast areas of forest vegetation, strictly for commercial production.

Critically and painfully transforming life, landscapes, knowledge and culture. Characteristics that certainly will not have more value someday.
With the great amount of unfounded needs being generated inside and outside the Amazonian region comes many more direct and in-direct impacts. These frequently materialise in great fires.

In regards to this, it is the direct responsibility of all. A true adjustment in our models and perceptions and acceptance of global responsibility for the problems is needed. Failure to adjust in the short term will surely lead only to uncertain outcomes.

Finally, it is up to us to show the terrible impacts fire has had on the ecosystems and their inhabitants. With fire, not only are life, species and environmental services lost, but also precious culture.

Fighting Amazonian fires always was and always will be the direct result of a simple cause: the lack of value placed on ecosystems and life in all it’s manifestations, including our own humanity.

About the photos
While Park Rangers were undertaking training in the state of Amapá-Brazil, taking their lunch break in temperatures in excess of 40 degrees, they received a warning of fire in the area. This intentionally lit fire posed a risk not only to the vegetation cover and the fauna that lived there, but also to the life and culture of some poor families with their modest houses and subsistence practices nearby.

The group of Park Rangers had only recently undertaken training in fire fighting and the question was posed: what do we do? The unanimous response of the students and their instructors: “let’s go to extinguish it!!”

Thus it was, more by will than the necessary equipment to combat a fire, we initiated the battle at midday, right at the worse hour. Indeed the flames spread quickly due to the air and high temperature and one felt heat that was unbearable for the body.

With flames of great heights, the fire rapidly devastated and turned to ashes 3 hectares. It had come dangerously near to structures and traditional plantations of “coqueros” (coconuts). Rationally, there seemed to be no option for control, exacerbated by the fire already entering a zone where combat would be impossible, due to the density of the vegetation and the amount of dry matter available.

Opportunely we conducted battle, very motivated and relying on organisation and abundant prudence. We had no water, shovels, nor specialised implements. But while some cut branches, others did what they could organised on the front line of the fire with what they had at hand. Much smoke was inhaled, but anger and determination was also in the air. Between the 35 people involved, motivation was constant.

Because of the smoke, high temperatures, danger from the flames, the great size of the fire, lack of water and implements, we thought it could not be possible. Yet the hopes of some arose from the front line where we maintained direct combat. Step by step, we started to dominate the situation.
After the intense combat, when all smoke was extinguished and the tasks totally concluded, a detachment of firemen arrived.
Happily our team of protectors had realised their contribution in a very efficient and professional way.

To have the opportunity of such a powerful experience with positive results next to colleagues was very rewarding. Neighbouring houses and structures, subsistence plants, native vegetation and the ecological niches of some species were safe.

But, till when will we have to continue fighting fires?
 


 
 
 
 

 

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REGIONAL SOUTH AMERICA WILDLAND FIRE NETWORK

A Region of the Global Wildland Fire Network

Institutions, Projects and other Wildland Fire Links

The following list of links to institutions working in wildland fire in South America are identical with the GFMC links to Latin America. Users of this web page are encouraged to submit new links to be added to this list. For other thematic fire-related links (e.g., remote sensing of vegetation fires, fire weather and climate forecasts, natural disasters, and global environmental monitoring: see the general GFMC link section at: https://gfmc.online/.

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