Prevention, control and monitoring of fires in the Brazilian Cerrado

The enhancement of fire management in communities and protected areas in the Cerrado and the development of fire and deforestestation monitoring systems contribute to maintain the function of the Cerrado as a carbon sink, to reduce emissions and conserve biodiversity. Thus, the project contributed to the achievement of Brazil’s climate protection targets and the preservation of biodiversity. The piloted integrated fire management (IFM) approach proved to be successful. IFM comprises controlled fires at the beginning of the dry season to avoid devastating mega fire in the end of the dry season. Fires set in the early dry season and thus, of lower fire intensity, show a minor impact on climate and biodiversity. Controlled fires were applied as an instrument of the management of protected areas, and set in collaboration with local communities to manage natural resources. The approach was shared in collaboration with the partners, and is embedded in their institutions.

Project data

Countries: Brazil
IKI funding: 6,490,155.17 €
Duration: 11/2011 till 03/2018
Status: completed
Implementing organisation: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Political Partner: Ministry of Environment - Brazil
Implementing Partner: Brazilian Institute for Natural Resources and the Environment

Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation - Brazil

National Institute for Space Research - Brazil
Online: http://www.giz.de/en/worldwide/12505.html

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State of implementation/results

Project completed.
Databases and maps had been updated for the five protected areas in the project region.
Recommendation had been prepared for a radio communication system.
Focal areas had been defined for a programme on disseminating alternatives to the use of fire as an agricultural method.
Experiences drawn from integrated fire management were feeding into the ongoing efforts to develop a national fire management policy.
Main achievement of the project was a paradigm shift and transformative change of the Brazilian fire policies.
A joint learning process of project team and partners clarified that fire was an integral aspect of the vegetation and ecosystem of the Cerrado that is mainly responsible for its high biodiversity.
In the last project phase, the project team introduced the approach of integrated fire management (IFM) in additional protected areas and built capacities in related institutions.
Courses on IFM for 40 multiplicators conducted, training for development and application of fuel maps for 16 staff of partner institutions conducted.

Latest Update:
12/2025