Fire management: review of international cooperation

Vegetation fires have significant impacts on the global environment, economies and societies, and the role of natural and anthropogenic fire is an important factor in maintaining stability, biodiversity and the functioning of some ecosystems. In recognition of this, international consultations since the 1990s have recommended action related to: international collaboration, capacity-building and human resource development; review mechanisms to support cooperation in fire management at bilateral, regional and international levels; establishment of international agreements aimed at sharing resources, personnel and equipment; and examination of the components of such international agreements, including overall logistical, policy and operational considerations.

This present review of international cooperation, prepared by the Global Fire Monitoring Center, addresses:

• the principles and strategic actions as detailed in Fire management: voluntary guidelines;
• Fire management: global assessment 2006, developed from the 12 regional reports on forestfire management prepared within the framework of the Global Wildland Fire Network and UN-ISDR; and
• recommendations of international consortia and conferences and the fire science community.

These references highlight a lack of capacity in integrated fire management in many countries around the world – both in human and technical resources. Many of the identified gaps in fire management capability at local, subnational, national, regional and global levels can be addressed through international cooperation. Collectively agreed and developed standards, procedures and technologies, and their joint use, will facilitate implementation of the principles and strategic actions, economize action by sharing resources and provide ample opportunity to address fire management at interagency and intersectoral levels.