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

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.

• 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

Firefighting with high-pressure airblowers

Mobile fire-fighting brigade

Minimising reaction time is essentialso 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.

The van and the team members do not carrywater because this would reduce mobility.

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

Project costs

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!