A powerful testimony from a participant at the recent Pacific Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change (PEBACC+) meeting in Kouaoua underscored the transformative impact of community-led initiatives in fire management.
“My father started many fires and following his lead, we did too. Then, he took a step back and accepted his responsibilities as a customary leader,” shared one attendee, reflecting on the reasons behind the reduction of burnt areas by half since 2011.
The PEBACC+ project showcased a detailed analysis of fire regimes from 2000 to 2023 through an engaging poster presentation. The results indicated that 1,014 fires scorched 3,286 hectares of the 11,000-hectare valley since late 2011, both the number of fires and the extent of burned areas have been halved. From 2000 to 2011, there was an average of 57 fires per year, which burned about 180 hectares. In contrast, between 2012 and 2023, the average dropped to 28 fires per year, affecting around 93 hectares.
