Fire and the Amazon: Approaches to Regional Cooperation to Respond to the Climate Crisis

Fire is a long-standing element in the Amazon, used for cultural, subsistence, and ecological purposes, but it has increasingly become a driver of environmental degradation deforestation. Climate change, deforestation, and poor fire management have intensified wildfires, affecting forests, biodiversity, economies, and public health. These fires both result from and contribute to the climate crisis, creating a feedback cycle. Integrated Fire Management (IFM) emerges as a key approach, combining traditional knowledge, science, and public policies to improve prevention, response, and restoration. Strengthening regional cooperation, particularly through ACTO, is essential to promote coordinated and effective fire governance in the Amazon.