Indigenous Fire Fighters in the Amazon

Since 2021, Cool Earth and the Central Asháninka of the Ene River (CARE) have been on a mission to fight forest fires in the Peruvian Amazon with the PAAMARI programme – a powerful blend of ancestral Indigenous knowledge and cutting-edge technology.

This year, 275 Indigenous Asháninka members graduated from the programme, helping to safeguard more than 242,000 hectares of critical rainforest.

Members of Indigenous communities in Peru use drones to monitor and fight fires threatening the rainforest

Members of Indigenous communities in Peru use drones to monitor and fight fires threatening the rainforest

The Rising Threat of Fires in the Amazon

Forest fires are escalating in the Peruvian Amazon, with 361 fires recorded across 22 regions this year, driven by climate change and expanding monocultures. These fires put Indigenous territories especially at risk.

The Asháninka, one of Peru’s largest Indigenous groups, are experiencing these impacts first-hand. Ángel Pedro Valerio, president of the Asháninka Central of the Ene River (CARE), explains:

“Indigenous peoples today face a drastic change in our way of living due to climate change. Fires are increasing, destroying crops like cassava, plantains, cacao, and coffee. They harm medicinal plants and the animals we depend on in the forest.”

Angel Pedro Valerio, President of CARE

Tech and Ancestral Knowledge

Key to the project’s success is blending the ancestral knowledge of Asháninka communities with modern technology. Through PAAMARI, 45 Community Forest Surveillance Committees have been formed and trained in fire prevention and response strategies. Participants have access to tools such as:

  • Satellite imagery for real-time monitoring
  • GPS devices to navigate vast territories
  • Drones for fire detection
  • Radio systems to share alerts across communities

PAAMARI community workshop on fire safety and prevention.

The Results

  • Forest fires in the region have dropped by over 50%. Down from 25 emergencies in 2023 to just 9 in 2024.
  • Communities trained through PAAMARI are 5 times less likely to experience fires compared to those without these tools.

Protecting the Forest, Protecting Lives

The success of PAAMARI goes beyond fire prevention. By training and equipping community leaders, the program strengthens Indigenous governance and supports long-term resilience. More than 5,000 families across 45 Asháninka communities are now better prepared to protect their land and livelihoods.

However, the challenges remain. Valerio highlights that lands cleared for large-scale agriculture and monocultures are up to 100 times more likely to catch fire during the dry season. The encroachment of these practices into Indigenous territories poses a constant threat. Brenda Toledo, Program Manager at Cool Earth, emphasises the urgency of supporting Indigenous peoples:

“Indigenous communities are the most affected by these disasters because their lives are intrinsically connected to the forests and the resources they provide.”

A Global Model for Forest Protection

The PAAMARI programme demonstrates that Indigenous leadership, paired with the right resources, can transform fire management and rainforest protection. It’s a model that deserves global recognition and support. By empowering Indigenous communities, we not only protect the Amazon but also contribute to the fight against climate change.