Balancing Fire Ecology and Human Rights

The role of fire in an ecosystem is the focus of a suite of bylaws known as fire science or fuel ecology. However, it only scratches the surface of understanding how those systems will respond to wildfire management amidst climate change. The chapter investigates the nexus of governance, policy frameworks, and sustainability in fire ecology by analysing what extant legal instruments fail to regulate human-related impacts. The findings indicate serious governance issues, such as obsolete legal bases and jurisdictional responsibilities. It proposes adaptive governance, decision-making based on science, and collaborative action in wildfire management. The chapter provides specific policy recommendations to prepare for future natural fire systems that are robust enough to permit ecological and community survival in the face of more intense wildfires.