Can there be fires in tropical forests?
by Fábio Silva – fire investigator | Civil Protection updated 8 February 2025
Yes, even in the humid, dense, living tropical forests, where nature seems unbreakable. But the reality is more complex than we imagine. The Amazon, the lungs of the world, is under threat. Not only from incessant deforestation, but from the flames that tear through its green immensity, leaving a trail of destruction in ecosystems that cannot tolerate the effects of fire.
But how to deal with such an unexpected threat? It was with this question that I began my journey to Santarém, in the State of Pará, Brazil, where the Alter do Chão Forest Fire Brigade carries out work that transcends borders and transports us to the purest essence of the human being, serving noble causes, for the benefit of all, sacrificing a precious asset, the time that each brigade member dedicates to the cause, without any monetary remuneration.
The mission was clear: to share knowledge, experiences and learning, in an exchange that showed that the fight for the Amazon is a common cause. This training, a visionary initiative, was generously financed by the ITURRI Foundation and operated by the Pau Costa Foundation, through its training manager Juan Caamaño and myself, a privileged person who learned more than I could ever share. In this way, we united international efforts in a response that combines technique, passion and the urgency of protecting the world’s green lung
The lessons behind the Amazon mission
My journey began with a mixture of excitement and uneasiness. As a European, the Amazon has always been a symbol of mystery, natural wealth and resilience. Upon arrival, however, I was faced with a contrasting reality: the untouched beauty of the landscapes coexists with areas marked by fires, a testament to how human pressure and climate change are changing the balance of one of the most important and biodiverse ecosystems on the planet.
Even though I had many miles under my belt and had fought fires in places such as Quebec (Canada) or Tierra Del Fuego (Chilean Antarctica/Patagonia, Chile), I heard the expression “White Man” for the first time, directly and without filters. At that moment, it sounded strange, distant and uncomfortable. As the days went by, the weight behind those words consumed my thoughts, day after day. In truth, it is something I will never forget; it left a lasting impression on my entire life. It was more than a reference or stereotype; It was a reflection of historical oppression, of an unequal relationship between those who have inhabited these lands for centuries and those who have become their invaders.
Indigenous peoples are living a silent and incessant struggle to simply exist on the lands that saw them born, but which, ironically, are so often denied to them. They depend on these lands to survive and the impact of the fires is an open wound in this relationship: the flames not only devastate the forests, but also eliminate the drinking water from their “igarapés”, the small watercourses that are the source of life for these communities. It is a tragedy that is not seen in large numbers, but is felt in the scarcity of a glass of water or the loss of a sacred place. It is not seen on TV, because, as in all places in the world, after the smoke, little is seen of the destruction and recovery. Even so, they welcomed me.
Participating in their spiritual rituals was more than a welcome; it was a lesson in humility. There, I felt that I was being welcomed to a land that belongs to everyone, but is only cared for by a few – those who live there and who, even under pressure, maintain an ancestral respect for the forest that we, so often, fail to understand.
For the first time, I came across firefighting brigades that hold the title of “Guardian”. It was a moment of deep reflection. These people do not risk their lives for a salary – because they do not have one. They risk their lives for a greater purpose, for a cause that transcends the individual: to protect the Amazon rainforest. I did not hear them say: “life for life” or learn to serve, but I saw clearly that they practice it with the deepest dedication. They organize themselves as true communities, a word that seems to fade in modern, globalized societies, but which here still pulses, alive, among them, in the form of mutual aid. In their battles, which often last for months, they face immense challenges, from exhausting fatigue to hidden dangers, such as poisonous animals lurking in the ashes. And yet, even losing firefighters to fatalities year after year, they do not allow themselves to retreat or rest until they feel they have fulfilled their duty.
Being with these people was like entering another dimension of what “work” means. For them, it is more than a task; it is a life mission. With their gestures, courage and determination, they taught me, something I already believed but had never experienced in this way, that the true reward is not in material goods, but in the certainty that one is protecting something that is vital to all of us, a common cause and without focusing on individual reward. A lesson that I will carry with me forever.
When observing the participants in the training, I was immediately confronted with a contrast that made me reflect. They presented themselves in a relaxed manner, wearing simple clothes, Chilean or even barefoot. Sometimes they were non-standard, something that in many European institutions would be cause for disapproval or criticism. But there, in the heart of the Amazon, I understood that appearance is the least important thing when the spirit of mission speaks loudest. Behind that relaxed appearance, I found people who were deeply committed, attentive to every detail of what was shared, constantly asking pertinent questions, dedicated to a greater purpose.
They worked with unwavering dedication, even after the set time, as if time had no importance compared to the cause that united them. I heard stories of people who gave up weeks of paid work to be there, learning, for free, how to protect the forest. The lesson I took away was clear and powerful: it is not the external formality, nice uniforms, or openings with important politicians, that defines the effectiveness of a training activity, but the passion, sacrifice and dedication with which its participants embrace this (I will call it) cause. In simplicity, without the spotlight, I discovered the essence of true commitment.
The Training Journey: Technique, Reflection and Practice
The training in Santarém was a multifaceted and intensely immersive experience, consisting of three distinct dynamics, each with a specific focus but interconnected by a common goal: to empower participants to deal with the challenges of fire in an integrated, technical and conscious way.
First, we explored fire analysis; then we delved deeper into Integrated Fire Management in a collaborative workshop ; and finally, we concluded with the practical course on the use of controlled fire. Each stage was carefully structured to address the complexities and peculiarities of fire in the Amazon, combining scientific knowledge, local practices and a reflective approach.
Fire Analysis Course: Thinking before acting
We began with a deep dive into fire analysis, an element that I believe should be present in all phases of operational intervention in forest fires. This course covered essential concepts: from meteorological and soil condition analysis, to vegetation moisture content and safety in the field. The focus culminated in fire behavior, a phenomenon explored in detail through case studies from the region, which highlighted the nuances and challenges faced by firefighters.
Most striking, however, was the way in which this course challenged traditional thinking. We proposed a model that goes beyond “standardized training”, encouraging participants to develop analytical and adaptive thinking.
The central message was clear: the firefighter is not just an operational piece; he or she is a strategist, whose ability to think critically can transform the outcome of an operation.
This effort to “deprogram” automatism and encourage analysis proved crucial to preparing teams that operate in environments as complex as the Amazon. It is crucial to develop this type of approach, to prepare agents to adapt to unknown scenarios, as this is the future reality throughout the world and in the Amazon, even more so, as this type of fires is recent and the trend is not encouraging.
Integrated Fire Management Workshop : dialogue between knowledge
The second dynamic was a participatory workshop that brought invaluable value by promoting interaction between trainees and local communities. Science proved to be complementary to empirical knowledge and not conflicting. We discussed in depth the ancestral role of fire in the Amazon and how, today, it is divided between “good fire” (burning) and “bad fire” (incidentes). Understanding this duality is essential to dealing with fire in a sustainable way: while fires destroy, the controlled use of fire can regenerate, protect and even prevent greater destruction.
In this context, we explored the ecological, social and cultural dimensions of fire, addressing sensitive issues such as the relationship of local communities with the natural cycles of the forest. The discussions extended beyond what was expected, until nightfall, demonstrating the genuine involvement of all participants. This dialogue was a bridge between technical knowledge and traditional knowledge, paving the way for an integrated approach adapted to local realities.
Controlled Fire Use Course: the practice that protects
The final stage was perhaps the most practical and technically oriented: the course on the use of controlled fire. This training focused on a specific aspect of Integrated Fire Management, showing how fire can be a preventative tool when used strategically. At the heart of the activities was the creation of mosaics – carefully burned areas that serve as natural barriers to contain the spread of large fires.
The practice took place in the Amazon savannah, a challenging terrain, where two crucial dimensions were addressed: managing fire intensity to ensure control and adjusting severity to maintain harmony with ecosystems and communities. This balance between science and ecological sensitivity is vital if fire is to become an ally in protecting the forest rather than a threat.
The techniques presented also demonstrated how controlled fire can reduce the risk of fires in critical areas, protecting both biodiversity and local populations. It was an approach that highlighted the importance of planning and monitoring, but also respected the cultural realities and immediate needs of communities that depend directly on the forest.
Does fire have a place in the Amazon?
Yes, but only where it is part of the natural harmony. While in the Amazon savannah fire is indispensable, essential for preventing major fires, conserving biodiversity and controlling invasive species, in the rainforest it is an intruder and a destroyer. The forest, with no natural adaptation to fire, suffers irreparable damage when the flames spread through it. And with increasingly severe droughts, these once-wet areas become vulnerable, fueling fires that devastate not only the ecosystem but also the livelihoods of local communities.
The role of controlled fire
In the grassland vegetation surrounding tropical forests, controlled fire is more than a management tool: it is an ecological necessity. Using it strategically prevents major fires, protects species that depend on flames to complete their cycles, and helps control plant invasions that threaten biodiversity. However, this use requires precision, which is increasingly difficult to achieve. Weather conditions, soil conditions, and vegetation moisture content need to be rigorously assessed.
Prescription is the key point: without it, the fire risks getting out of control and causing irreparable damage.
More than a technical practice, the use of fire is also a challenge of communication and integration. During the training, I realized that local communities, who live in close connection with the land, are crying out for real partnerships with science. There is a clear communication gap : scientific production does not always reach those who need it most.
Many studies are confined to academic publications, with their characteristic coded language, and rarely translate into tangible benefits for the populations that deal with the challenges of the territory on a daily basis. These communities are asking for a science that gets closer, that understands their needs and that helps to build solutions together – not just by collecting data and sharing, but by forming lasting alliances. Science must dedicate itself to the cause, with the same commitment… not just to meet academic metrics.
Fire in the Amazon is more than a cultural, social, ecological, technical or regional issue. It is a global responsibility that requires collaboration between science and tradition, between politics and practice. This balance, however, will only be achieved if bridges are built – and not barriers – between scientific knowledge and local knowledge.
The Amazon, as a universal heritage, cannot be neglected. Protecting this forest, finding harmony in the use of fire and ensuring the future of its biodiversity is, ultimately, caring for the planet and our own survival.Hope for the values of LIFE
The training in Santarém was not just a technical event. It was a powerful demonstration of how different actors, united by a greater purpose, can tackle challenges that go beyond local borders.
The Alter do Chão Brigade, with its perseverance and deep sense of community purpose, showed that protecting the Amazon is more than a mission; it is a commitment to life. As a founding member of the National Network of Volunteer Brigades and with active leadership in the National Committee for Integrated Fire Management in Brazil, the brigade is a driving force in the fight for a sustainable future.
The participation of multiple actors – from the Lower Tapajós Brigade Network to partner institutions such as the Animal Response Group in Disasters (GRAD), the Military Fire Department of the State of Pará and ICMBio – was concrete proof that synergy is essential to achieve lasting results. The integration of knowledge, respect for local knowledge and collective commitment created an environment of collaboration that will serve as a model for other territories.
By promoting this training, the Alter Brigade reinforced that the union of different sectors – volunteers, public institutions and local communities – is not only desirable, but essential to build a solid policy to protect the Amazon territory. This is an example of how coordinated efforts can transcend barriers, bringing real solutions to complex problems.
What remained of this experience was more than technical knowledge; it was a message of hope. Hope for the values of LIFE, for the fight for a cause that surpasses all others. Here, in the heart of the Amazon, is the center of life on the planet – a place where the threat to Humanity is most evident and real. But also a place where human effort, guided by a deep love for nature, can still make a difference.
I invite you to watch this inspiring video that illustrates the greatness of this cause and the impact of each action taken to protect the Amazon.
Photo: João Romano | Alter do Chão Brigade
