Integrated fire management in a tropical biosphere reserve: Achievements and challenges

Wildfires are among the most critical threats to tropical rainforests. In the Selva El Ocote Biosphere Reserve in the Mexican state of Chiapas, vast rainforest areas suffered destruction by fires in 1998 and 2003. However, there have been no more widespread fires, and previously burnt areas have been recovering. The present study analyses the integrated fire management processes implemented in the reserve. It includes 19 expert interviews and a survey applied to 274 inhabitants of local communities. It argues that the successful prevention of further adverse wildfire events is related to a fire management approach, which emphasizes cultural and physical fire prevention and incorporates strong participation by local communities. The communities have established internal agreements to mitigate wildfire risk. Thus, the reserve might serve as an example of how integrated and cultural fire management can be applied in practice. However, these achievements face challenges, mainly due to budget cuts, changing governmental priorities, and the crisis of the rule of law in Mexico. An event that particularly impacted fire management practices in the area in recent years was the implementation of the federal government's Sembrando Vida ("Planting Life") program. First, it led to deforestation and the provocation of wildfires but afterwards it seems to have induced the abandonment of agricultural burning by a considerable percentage of local farmers.