{"id":8112,"date":"2024-09-11T15:14:31","date_gmt":"2024-09-11T18:14:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/casa.org.br\/community-brigades-the-frontline-against-forest-fires-in-brazil\/"},"modified":"2024-09-18T15:17:50","modified_gmt":"2024-09-18T18:17:50","slug":"community-brigades-the-frontline-against-forest-fires-in-brazil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/casa.org.br\/en\/community-brigades-the-frontline-against-forest-fires-in-brazil\/","title":{"rendered":"Community Brigades: The Frontline Against Forest Fires in Brazil"},"content":{"rendered":"

Support from the Casa Socio-Environmental Fund strengthens indigenous and volunteer brigades in the fight against forest fires, integrating traditional knowledge and technology to preserve ecosystems and mitigate the impacts of climate change<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

The increase in forest fires in Brazil, exacerbated by climate change and improper land use practices, has placed community brigades on the front lines of firefighting and prevention efforts.<\/p>\n

Composed of volunteers and local leaders, these brigades use a combination of ancestral knowledge and modern techniques to tackle the fires that threaten entire ecosystems and the lives of thousands of people.<\/p>\n

They play a critical role in detecting, preventing, and responding immediately to fires, often being the first to act in emergency situations due to their local knowledge and proximity to the affected territories.<\/p>\n

According to the Institute for Ecological Research (IP\u00ca)<\/a>, around 200 brigades operate throughout Brazil, consisting of members from the communities themselves. These brigades have been essential in protecting forests, indigenous territories, and vulnerable areas.<\/p>\n

The recent creation of the National Integrated Fire Management Policy (PNMIF), through the Brazilian Law 14.944\/2024<\/a>, reinforces this role. The policy aims to promote collaboration between civil society and the government to improve fire prevention and response, directly involving community brigades.<\/p>\n

Indigenous Brigades of Roraima: Ancestral Wisdom and Technology<\/b><\/p>\n

In Roraima, indigenous brigades have been a crucial line of defense against forest fires, which threaten the Lavrado, a unique ecosystem in the middle of the Amazon, similar to the Cerrado, where fire spreads easily.<\/p>\n

According to Sin\u00e9ia Wapichana, coordinator of the Indigenous Climate Change Committee (CINC) and the Department of Territorial, Environmental, and Climate Change Management of the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR), the combination of traditional knowledge with modern technologies has enabled an effective response to the prevention and combat of forest fires.<\/p>\n

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Distribution of Indigenous Brigades in Roraima. Source: CIR<\/p><\/div>\n

“In 1998, we experienced a large fire in Roraima, and from that point on, we began to work on and establish indigenous brigades to combine technical knowledge with traditional practices,” explains Sin\u00e9ia.<\/p>\n

Since then, the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR) has been training indigenous brigade members, both men and women, to act in emergency and prevention situations. In addition to the training, the brigades use technologies such as drones and air quality monitoring systems to help combat fires. “The use of drones, for example, has been essential in identifying heat sources and directing the brigades in the field,” Sin\u00e9ia added.<\/p>\n

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Sin\u00e9ia Wapichana is the coordinator of the Indigenous Climate Change Committee (CINC) and the Department of Territorial, Environmental, and Climate Change Management of the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR). She is an important indigenous leader and environmental activist. Photo: U.S. Embassy in Brazil Archives.<\/p><\/div>\n

The implementation of satellite internet technologies has enabled efficient communication between the brigades and operational bases, facilitating logistics and remote monitoring.<\/p>\n

One of the biggest challenges faced by the brigades is combating fires that originate outside indigenous lands. “This year, 70% of the fires came from outside our territories,” says Sin\u00e9ia.<\/p>\n

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The use of drones is an important part of the strategy for monitoring and combating forest fires. Photo: CIR Archives.<\/p><\/div>\n

The importance of community brigades also extends to prevention. Sin\u00e9ia mentioned that the preventive work is based on life plans developed by the communities, which include territorial planning practices and the sustainable use of fire. “Prevention is one of our priorities, and this is where the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples proves extremely valuable,” she said.<\/p>\n

Cavalcante Volunteer Brigade (BRIVAC): Defending the Cerrado<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the Chapada dos Veadeiros region in Goi\u00e1s, the Cavalcante Volunteer Environmental Brigade (BRIVAC) has played a key role in protecting the Cerrado biome from fires. Under the leadership of Rafael Drumond, the brigade has been training local communities, such as Quilombo S\u00e3o Domingos, to respond quickly to fires and develop sustainable fire management strategies.<\/p>\n