Before 1985 there was not a strong fire management programme. Loss of tropical habitat, indiscriminate burning and several large fires hastened the need to develop a fire management programme. Officials is Costa Rica sought international assistance to help improve their fire programms. Legislation passed in 1986 was designed to discourage the rampant use of uncontrolled fire. There were fines associated with the law. An additional forestry law in 1996 raised even further the awareness that uncontrolled fire had to be eliminated.
The formation of regional and local fire management committees has been instrumental in improving fire management responses in the country. The current emphasis in Costa Rica is to decentralize federal efforts and encourage the provinces and local communities to get involved and to be responsible for their areas. There is an economic incentive for the communities to be involved. The Central Government provides funding for tools, equipment, training, education, etc. Also, the National Security (Insurance) Institute is also providing funding to ensure success of the programme.
The committees are formed by volunteers, with professional and technical assistance provided by the government. These committees are responsible for preventing fires, as well as organizing to suppress fires. In the Guanacaste region, for example, there are 85 volunteer firefighting brigades.
