downtoearth-subscribe

Forest fires and the law: a guide for national drafters based on the fire management voluntary guidelines

  • 01/01/2009
  • FAO

This guideline provides a set of priority principles on fire management, which is an essential component of sustainable forest management. Fire management is the discipline of using fire to achieve land management and traditional use objectives, together with the safeguarding of life, property, and resources through the prevention, detection, control, restriction, and suppression of fire in forest and other vegetation in rural areas. It encompasses prevention, preparedness, early warning, detection and mobilization, suppression, and restoration (including research and technology transfer). It also includes the appropriate use of natural or human-caused fire in maintaining ecological values and integrity of certain ecosystems, and the use of fire to reduce the accumulation of natural fuel and residues from commercial and non-commercial activities.