AI-rewritten: This is a summary of an article from Positive News, rewritten by AI (Qwen, running locally) to make it easier to read. The facts come from the original article – read it for the full story.

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Peru has faced severe wildfire seasons recently, with thousands of hectares of tree cover lost and record-breaking temperatures triggering national emergencies. However, Indigenous communities in the region are reporting a significant decline in blazes thanks to the Paamari programme. This initiative, launched in 2023 by the Central Asháninka of the Ene River (CARE) and Cool Earth, combines traditional knowledge with modern technology like drones and satellite imagery.

In 2024, wildfires across the participating communities dropped from 25 incidents to nine, reducing the burned area from 2,648 hectares to just 492 hectares. This represents an 81% reduction compared to previous years. By 2025, there were no recorded wildfires in the territory as community members successfully extinguished threats before they could spread.

The project’s success relies on integrating Indigenous expertise with high-tech equipment, allowing local brigadistas to act as the first and last line of defense in difficult terrain where national crews cannot respond quickly. Community leaders emphasize that this collaboration ensures long-term sustainability because local people own the project rather than relying on external actors who may leave once funding ends.