By
Marcos Ramos
Fire environment, fire regimes and
the ecological role of fire
In Cuba, five principal environmental problems have been identified by CITMA (Science, Technology and Environment Ministry) (1997) in the National Environment Strategy. These problems are: degradation of the soil, deterioration of security and environmental conditions in human settlements, contamination of the water, deforestation and damage to biological diversity. Forest fires have a strong influence on these problems and the government is paying special attention to them.
In the country, the number of forest fires by lightning (main natural cause) in recent years represent only 10.64 percent of the total. The forest ecosystems appear to have no connection with fires, thus indicating the presence of a non-fire regime. Some authors say that the Pinus spp. exhibit adaptations to fire, especially Pinus tropicalis. It is possible that fires facilitate the regeneration in this species. In fact, no studies have been reported about this adaptation.
Forest fire defined: Fire that occurs in an uncontrollable form in the natural and artificial forest (Law No. 85, Forestry Law).
Narrative summary of major wildfire impacts on people, property and natural
resources that occurred historically
Fires cause negative effects on the stability of nutrients, flora and fauna, the structure of the soil; and on the ecological stability as well. All of these changes cause an unfavorable environmental impact and can bring about global climatic changes.
The major wildfire impacts historically have been related to the burning of the forest that degrades habitat for fauna, soil, wood and biodiversity. Forest fires make sustainable forest management difficult. In the period 1990-1998, a mean of 307 forest fires occurred annually and 6,507 hectares were affected.
Narrative summary of major wildfire impacts on people, property and natural
resources during the 1990s
Extreme weather conditions of drought and wind velocity in April and May of 1999 caused the most important fire season in the last 8 years. The two biggest fires in modern history occurred during this period. The wildfires affected 11,657 hectares.
Fire management organization
The organization and management of fire protection in Cuba is undertaken by the Forest Guard Department in the Ministry of the Interior, as set out in the Forest Law. This Department, in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture, has developed specialized measures for fire prevention. As established by the Forest Law, the system for forest fire protection comprises activities for prevention, control and suppression, as well as research and training. These activities are regulated by a National Program created by the Ministry of Interior in collaboration with the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment and the National Civil Defense.
Cuba is divided into six ecological regions. In these regions are the Professional Brigades of Prevention and Suppression of Forest Fires. These brigades are located in the highest risk forests and operate all year.
Wildfire database
Table 6-6 Number of fires and area burned in Cuba between 1990-1999.
Year |
Total No. of Fires on Forest, Other Wooded Land & Other Land No. |
Total Area Burned on Forest, Other Wooded Land & Other Land ha |
Area of Forest Burned ha |
Area of Other Wooded Land & Other Land Burned ha |
Human Causes No. |
Natural Causes No. |
Unknown Causes No. |
1990 |
307 |
3127 |
178 |
36 |
93 | ||
1991 |
566 |
6582 |
203 |
26 |
337 | ||
1992 |
312 |
4442 |
161 |
19 |
132 | ||
1993 |
182 |
5380 |
87 |
51 |
44 | ||
1994 |
237 |
6152 |
151 |
21 |
65 | ||
1995 |
363 |
3731 |
189 |
15 |
159 | ||
1996 |
211 |
3905 |
90 |
24 |
97 | ||
1997 |
255 |
4708 |
117 |
49 |
89 | ||
1998 |
259 |
10672 |
4144 |
6528 |
80 |
36 |
143 |
1999 |
382 |
32520 |
22900 |
9620 |
185 |
50 |
147 |
Total |
3074 |
43192 |
65071 |
16148 |
1441 |
327 |
1306 |
Computers are used to manage the Integrated System for the Management of Data Bases on Forest Fires (designed by Ramos 2000).
Use of prescribed fire to achieve resource management objectives
According to the Forest Law (Law 85/98) in Cuba, the use of fire in forests and adjacent areas (up to 200 m from forests)is prohibited. In exceptional cases the Forest Guard Department facilitates a permit for burning.
However, fire is used frequently as a management tool in Cuba. Burning is practiced at the end of the dry season in order to renew grass to feed livestock. It is also used by farmers to eliminate crop waste and to clean the soil before planting. Despite fire regulations, negligence in these activities and using fire in other land use systems frequently cause forest fires (Ramos, 2000).
Public policies affecting wildfires and fire management
Since forest fires affect sustainable development (ecological, economic and society), public policies support the fire management programme. The State supplies resources for this activity; and every year a different person participates in international courses. Also, projects concerning wildfire are being developed. According to Ramos (2000), in case of extensive forest fires, the government and political authorities help with resources. Also, headquarters and other temporary infrastructures are set up from which collective decisions are analyzed to take the most effective action.
Sustainable land use practices used to reduce wildfire hazards and wildfire risks
In some places cattle are raised in the forest and different agro-silvicultural practices are promoted. Some silvicultural management improves the structure of the forestry.
Community involvement in fire management activities
According to the National Program for Forest Fire Management, different Ministries, Institutions, Organizations and entities are involved in activities during the prevention campaign and into suppressions activities. Volunteer brigades are also used for wildfire management.
References
CITMA. 1997. Estrategia Ambiental Nacional. Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Medio Ambiente. Cuba. 27 pp.
Ramos, M.P. 2000. An Overview about Forest Fires in Cuba. In: Int. Forest Fire News. 22: 20 – 23, April 2000.
Ramos, M.P. 2000. Perfeccionamiento de la automatización del diseño y manejo de bases de datos sobre incendios forestales. Primer Simposio Internacional sobre Manejo Sostenible de los Recursos Forestales. Universidad de Pinar del Río.
Servicio Estatal Forestal. 1999. Ley Forestal, su reglamento y contravenciones. Cuba, pp. 93