A book was launched on Tuesday (16) that provides an accessible technical diagnosis of the fire situation in the Pan-Amazon region. The publication “Frontiers of Fire” is the result of a partnership between different fronts working to combat fire in the Legal Amazon.
The book is published by OTCA (Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization) and GIZ (German-Brazilian Cooperation for Sustainable Development), developed as part of the CoRAmazônia project, and is available in three languages: Portuguese, English and Spanish.
IPAM (Institute for the Preservation of the Amazon) took part in the technical coordination of the publication and contributed two chapters: one on the history of fire and the other on its typology and different uses.
According to Ane Alencar, IPAM’s science director, knowledge about fire has grown over time and the book also brings a perspective on the economic and health impacts.
“The book ends up being a condensation of this dispersed knowledge. This overview of what is happening with fire, an overview of the types of fire, noting that not all fire is bad, brings to light what integrated fire management would look like in an environment like the Amazon,” explained Ane.
IFM (Integrated Fire Management) is a strategic approach to reducing fires that combines traditional knowledge, applied science, territorial governance and effective public policies with the participation of local agents. It involves training communities and using techniques that create defensive mosaics in the landscape. With it, it is possible to plan and control fires at specific times to reduce uncontrolled fires.
“It’s not about banning fire, it’s about controlling and planning so that it doesn’t become a fire. It’s also worth highlighting the importance of cultural fire, especially in indigenous and traditional communities, and the way they deal with fire,” he added.
The launch event was attended by the ambassadors of Switzerland and Norway, supporters of the CoRAmazonia project, and representatives from Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Peru .
At the same event there was an exhibition of Prevfogo photos by IBAMA (the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources), curated by IPAM.