FAO.org

Fire is a natural disturbance event that has also been used by humans for millennia as a tool to manipulate their environment. Fire still plays an essential role in many societies today; however, fire is not always used appropriately and can often be damaging. The danger is exacerbated by issues such as changes in land use, increasing population in rural areas, inadequate or inappropriate policy, and climate change. Traditional fire management practices and contemporary approaches used in developed countries – and increasingly being adopted in developing countries – often do not adequately address the complex issues of fire management. Through its integrated approach, community-based fire management (CBFiM) has the potential to address many of these challenges effectively.