FAO urges countries to invest more in fire prevention
Tuesday, 5 June 2007
ROME, June 4 (Xinhua): Forest fires are affecting larger areas and becoming more severe in several regions of the world, and countries need to invest more in fire preparedness and prevention, according to the latest report of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
"Countries need to enhance collaboration, share their knowledge and increasingly target people, who are the main cause of fires, through awareness-raising and education," said Peter Holmgren, Chief of the Forest Resources Development Service, FAO.
In the year 2000 alone, an estimated 350 million hectares of forests and woodlands were destroyed by fire, with sub-Saharan Africa and Australasia accounting for 80 per cent of the total area burned, FAO said.
In almost all regions, people were by far the biggest cause of vegetation fires, with the Mediterranean region reporting that as many as 95 per cent of fires were caused by humans.
Fire is an important and widely used tool in agriculture and in maintaining ecosystems. Wildfires, however, which are frequently the result of negligence or arson, destroy millions of hectares of forests and woodlands, resulting in loss of human and animal life and immense economic damage.
Fire management activities, including monitoring, early warning, preparedness, prevention, suppression and restoration, were among the issues debated by 1500 fire experts and planners from more than 80 countries during the 4th International Wildland Fire Conference, recently held in Seville, Spain, FAO said.
A global strategy to enhance international cooperation in fire management was presented by FAO and its partners. This includes a global assessment of fire management detailing incidence and impacts in all regions, a review of international cooperation, and the voluntary guidelines in fire management, incorporating principles and strategic actions.
"Countries need to enhance collaboration, share their knowledge and increasingly target people, who are the main cause of fires, through awareness-raising and education," said Peter Holmgren, Chief of the Forest Resources Development Service, FAO.
In the year 2000 alone, an estimated 350 million hectares of forests and woodlands were destroyed by fire, with sub-Saharan Africa and Australasia accounting for 80 per cent of the total area burned, FAO said.
In almost all regions, people were by far the biggest cause of vegetation fires, with the Mediterranean region reporting that as many as 95 per cent of fires were caused by humans.
Fire is an important and widely used tool in agriculture and in maintaining ecosystems. Wildfires, however, which are frequently the result of negligence or arson, destroy millions of hectares of forests and woodlands, resulting in loss of human and animal life and immense economic damage.
Fire management activities, including monitoring, early warning, preparedness, prevention, suppression and restoration, were among the issues debated by 1500 fire experts and planners from more than 80 countries during the 4th International Wildland Fire Conference, recently held in Seville, Spain, FAO said.
A global strategy to enhance international cooperation in fire management was presented by FAO and its partners. This includes a global assessment of fire management detailing incidence and impacts in all regions, a review of international cooperation, and the voluntary guidelines in fire management, incorporating principles and strategic actions.