The devastating wildfires in California, which ravaged entire communities and caused multimillion-dollar losses, once again brought to the forefront the need to prioritize prevention to address this increasingly frequent and intense phenomenon. Additionally, climate change combined with changes in land use are increasing the frequency, duration, and intensity of these events, challenging the resilience of natural and human systems.
The majority of wildfires have a human-caused origin. Therefore, it is crucial to understand if their source is related to accidents, negligence, or poorly designed infrastructures. This is where education, awareness, and the promotion of integrated fire management become fundamental pillars of the strategy to address this issue.
Historically, efforts have focused on suppression, but the increasing magnitude of wildfires has shown that even the best response systems, like those in California, may not be sufficient. Additionally, the economic and environmental losses from these events are immense, so increased investment in prevention could drastically reduce the costs associated with response and recovery.
In this sense, Amy Duchelle, a forest officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), points out that forest fires require three key elements: a fuel source, warm and dry weather, and an ignition spark.
These conditions are further exacerbated by climate change, creating a vicious circle in which fires release large amounts of carbon dioxide, exacerbating the climate crisis. Furthermore, the concept of a “fire season” has evolved into a continuous problem.
Global warming is the cause of increased intensity and danger of wildfires.
Integrated Approach: FAO’s Five Rs
FAO promotes an integrated management approach based on five pillars:
- Review: Analyze the fire situation in each region.
- Risk Reduction: Identify and mitigate the underlying causes of devastating fires.
- Readiness: Establish clear protocols and strategies to respond to fires.
- Response: Improve firefighting capabilities with appropriate and well-trained teams.
- Recovery: Restore ecosystems and damaged infrastructure after fires.
In this regard, the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) offers an opportunity to promote the recovery of affected areas.
The danger of wildfires.
Paradigm Shift in the Fight against Fires
The Los Angeles fire highlights that relying solely on suppression is not enough. Addressing these events requires a shift towards significant investment in prevention, education, and long-term strategies to reduce risks and promote preparedness.
It is important to remember that the public plays a crucial role in risk reduction and in promoting responsible behaviors. Human causes of fires, such as carelessness and unsafe practices, can be minimized through education and awareness. This challenge is not just about forestry but encompasses all sectors and levels of society.
As extreme wildfires become more common, it is imperative that nations strengthen their prevention efforts and adopt comprehensive approaches to manage this problem. With a collective commitment, it is possible to mitigate the impacts of these events and move towards a safer and more resilient future in the face of climate change.
Wildfires.
How to Prevent Forest Fires?
To prevent forest fires, the following recommendations can be followed:
- Do not throw matches, cigarette butts, or broken bottles on the ground.
- Avoid lighting fires during dry seasons.
- Do not burn weeds or pastures.
- Do not leave cans or glass items near vegetation.
- Avoid throwing garbage, flammable materials, and lit objects on roads and paths.
- If making a fire, choose an open area without vegetation and extinguish it with water or soil.
- If a forest fire is spotted, alert the firefighters.
- Follow the instructions of local authorities.
In case of emergency, call Emergency Services such as firefighters, police, civil protection, and follow their orders.
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