Aiba presents a review of its work to combat forest fires in 2015

The number of forest fires in the 800 hectares monitored by the Association of Farmers and Irrigators of Bahia (Aiba) was 5% lower than in the western region in 2015, where more than 70 hot spots were recorded. This result is part of the balance of actions to combat forest fires developed by Aiba's Environment department in the São Desidério and APA Monitoring Units in Rio de Janeiro (between Barreiras and Luís Eduardo Magalhães).

According to the data presented, despite the reduction in relation to the entire region, there was an increase in fire outbreaks in the monitored areas, totaling 3.278 outbreaks. According to Aiba's Environment Director, Alessandra Chaves, this fact is directly related to the high temperatures recorded throughout 2015, combined with the accumulation of biomass and the el nest phenomenon, which delayed the start of rain in Western Bahia.

“If we compare the numbers now with those of 2012, when there was still no effective participation of farmers in fire brigades, there was a significant reduction in the number of affected areas. This makes evident the importance of integrated actions by PPPs (Public-Private Partnerships) in monitoring, articulating, communicating and combating hot spots to prevent the spread of fires in the region across large productive areas and with native vegetation of Legal Reserves and Areas of Permanent Preservation (APP)”, said Alessandra, adding that “the continuity of these actions, through periodic planning in each unit, is essential to obtain positive results, in addition to paying attention to what is described in environmental legislation on fire management in properties rural.”