Community forest brigades and their implementation as part of a new vision in the integrated fire management in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

A new strategy integrating community forest brigades has significantly reduced fire-affected areas while empowering remote rural communities. This approach, part of Venezuela's Integrated Fire Management (IFM) policies since 2010, combines traditional indigenous knowledge with scientific criteria to combat wildfires in national parks like Canaima National Park. The strategy involves training and equipping volunteers from local communities, fostering a culture of self-protection and intercultural collaboration. Initial successes in Waraira Repano, Mochima, El Guácharo, and Canaima National Parks have laid the groundwork for a nationwide plan, emphasizing community involvement in Local Fire Management Plans.

Matany Luque, M. A., Leon, E., Biskys Ardila, J. G., Gutiérrez, G., Bilbao, B., Rivera-Lombardi, R., & Milán, A. (2020). Community Forest Brigades and their implementation as part of a new vision in the integrated fire management in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Biodiversidade Brasileira, 10(1), 49. https://doi.org/10.37002/biobrasil.v10i1.1624