IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

Despite recurrent, catastrophic fires since 1983, Indonesia was unprepared for the extensive fires which burnt more than 5 million hectares in 1997-98. The devastation, which drew widespread international attention, arose from a complex mix of rapid land use change that was driven by private commercial interests, slash-and-burn agricultural practices, weak law enforcement and governance and perverse policy distortions. In addition to direct losses from the fire, there was incalculable damage done to human health and well-being from the thick haze which covered wide parts of Indonesia and surrounding countries. The total damage from the fires and haze suffered by Indonesia alone exceeds the damages assessed for legal liability in the Exxon Valdez and Bhopal disasters combined. The damages and losses have been estimated to be more than double the foreign aid received by Indonesia annually and equivalent to approximately 2.5% of its GNP.

The events of 1997-98 were the catalyst for Project FireFight South East Asia, the first element of a global initiative by IUCN and WWF supported by the European Commission. The project seeks to secure essential policy reform through a strategy of advocacy using synthesis and analysis of existing information and new outputs.

Recognising that prevention is the best and, in most cases, the only effective strategy for the long-term management of fire, Project FireFight South East Asia identified three aspects of wildfires: community involvement, the economics of fire use and the legal aspects of forest fires. The approach in each area was to review, analyse and synthesise existing studies and materials supplemented by additional research where needed. The aim was to provide an overview of the state of knowledge in each of the three areas. This created a platform from which lessons and advice could be formulated, made accessible to the wider public and from which further research wouldbeinitiated.Within the three focus areas, Project FireFight South East Asia has identified some commonly held concepts and beliefs about forest fires, which might not be entirely true, but strongly influence their understanding, and proposes solutions towards addressing wild fires. The project's findings reinforce the importance of a holistic and balanced approach to fire management involving all stakeholders. Efforts to address fires must take into account the five components of fire management (analysis, prevention preparedness, suppression and restoration) and embed fire management efforts in a comprehensive and balanced land use strategy with adequate attention to underlying causes of forest fires.