Transcript Fires in SW Primorye

Wild Fires in Primorski Krai
A cost effective solution to the problem
Kedrovaya Pad Nature Reserve burning in April 2011
Michiel Hötte, Wildlife Conservation Society
Southwest Primorye is one of the most
biodiverse regions of Russia with endangered
species including Amur tigers and the last
remaining population of around 40 Far Eastern
leopards.
Southwest Primorye
• 46% burnt at least once
• 12-22% burns every year
• only 57% forest cover remains
• Tigers and leopards avoid
areas affected by fires
Landscapes
• Good quality forest near Chinese border
• Fire-degraded forest (mostly oak trees)
• Grassland
• Small settlements
Landscapes
• Good quality forest near Chinese border
• Fire-degraded forest (mostly oak trees)
• Grassland
• Small settlements
Landscapes
• Good quality forest near Chinese border
• Fire-degraded forest (mostly oak trees)
• Grassland
• Small settlements
There are no commercial agricultural fields in our project area.
-So there is no agricultural burning !
Locals mention many reasons why people start fires, including:
- burning vegetable gardens or garbage
- stimulating fern growth, attracting game, keep areas open for grazing
However, strong economic incentives and rationale seem absent.
Burning is simply a habit.
Fire management – main project components:
• Joint project Slavyanka Municipality and WCS
• 10-member mobile fire-fighting brigade (volunteers)
• Fire wardens in communities control and police burning
• Fines for perpetrators who have started fires
• Monitoring burns on a yearly basis to assess success
Mobile fire-fighting brigade
Minimising reaction time is essential
so that fire-fighting can start when fires
are still small.
To achieve this the team members:
- observe project area from
high-elevation outposts.
- Patrol in a mini-van.
Firefighting with high-pressure airblowers
The van and the team members do not carry
water because this would reduce mobility.
Project costs
Set up costs and equipment $27,000:
• 1 second-hand mini-van = $15,000
• 1 stationary and 10 hand-held radio sets = $2,500
•10 Husqvarna high-pressure air-blowers = $8,500
•10 sets of protective fire outfits = $1,000
Annual operating costs – 4 months ($7,000):
• Fuel mini-van ($3,000)
• Fuel air-blowers ($1,000)
• Spare parts, repairs, 2 replacement air-blowers,
vehicle insurance ($3,000)
• Monthly payments fire wardens during fire
seasons (3 wardens x 4 months @ $100 = $1,200)
(Note; costs of education materials, salaries and preparing firebreaks with a tractor have not been included)
Lessons learned
Essential for success are:
• Limiting reaction time – start fighting fires when they are still small.
• Not only technical and organisational solutions are needed in Russia. The number
of fires has to be reduced through behavioral change. We achieved this through a
community-based approach (local wardens), fines and education.
• Strong commitment needed from local authority (lead agency).
Important tasks: - appointing wardens
- arranging co-operation from police and prosecutor
Next steps:
• Lobby Russian authorities for wider application of our fire
management methods.
• Continue our project, rollout to other areas in SW Primorye and
include forest-regeneration activities.
• Research and address the ‘human factor’ – design behaviour
change strategies.
Project sponsor US Forest Service
Thank you for your attention!