Indigenous Communities Prevent Wildfires
Indigenous communities in Peru are dramatically reducing wildfires by combining generations of traditional knowledge with modern technology. The Paamari program, which was created by a local political organization and the nonprofit Cool Earth, has trained hundreds of community members to prevent, detect, and quickly respond to fires across 45 communities in the Peruvian Amazon. Local fire brigades use satellite imagery, drones, and radio systems alongside their deep knowledge of the forest to spot smoke, distinguish wildfires from controlled burns, and intervene before flames spread. The results have been significant, with wildfires dropping from 25 in 2023 to nine in 2024, while the amount of land burned fell by 81%. In 2025, the territory recorded no wildfires at all, with communities successfully extinguishing potential threats before they grew into full flames. The program is now expanding to neighboring communities, offering a promising model for Indigenous-led conservation as wildfires become an increasing threat around the world.
Image via Positive News
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