The Ministry of Environment and Energy announced on April 15 the official launch of the National Strategy for Integrated Fire Management (ENMIF) 2025–2035, a planning tool aimed at guiding fire management efforts in Ecuador over the next decade, with a strong focus on preventing forest fires.
The announcement took place during the International Workshop of the Forest Fire Action Accelerator, bringing together national and international stakeholders dedicated to forest governance and resilience against wildfires.
According to data from authorities, between 2010 and 2025 more than 32,800 forest fires were recorded in Ecuador, affecting over 336,000 hectares. The year 2024 was identified as particularly severe, with most incidents attributed to human causes.
Officials say that ENMIF is a technical and participatory instrument that coordinates public institutions, academia, international cooperation agencies, private sector actors, and communities. It sets out a national framework for managing fire use responsibly as well as controlling wildfires. Vice Minister of Environment Alicia Jaramillo said that “this instrument is not only a technical document but also a tool that organizes and guides the country’s actions with a long-term vision,” highlighting the need for coordinated action on this issue.
Prevention forms the central pillar of ENMIF through awareness campaigns, monitoring activities, early warning systems development, strengthening local capacities, and guidelines for restoring affected ecosystems. The strategy also promotes comprehensive fire governance by aligning efforts among government entities at all levels alongside communities and strategic partners while incorporating sustainable approaches supported by technical knowledge.
With this initiative covering 2025–2035 now underway nationally in Ecuadorian policy planning circles—officials reaffirm their commitment to advancing environmental management practices focused on prevention participation sustainability ecosystem protection territory resilience.
