Musim Mas’ Approach to Fire Management and Prevention

What Causes Fires in Tropical Rainforests?

Human activity, including climate change that results in extreme drought, contributes to the increased risk, frequency, and intensity of forest and peat fires. Human activity can directly cause forest fires for a variety of reasons.

Our Approach to Fire Management and Prevention

Our efforts and approach towards preventing, monitoring, and managing fires are guided by our supply base, split across three domains: Our operations, third-party suppliers, and independent smallholders.

Within these three domains, we analyze and manage fire risk, monitor fires, and conduct assessments.

How Has COVID-19 Affected Our Fire Prevention and Management Efforts?

Covid-19 has brought about different challenges and encouraged innovation regarding how fire prevention and management training and engagements are conducted. Before COVID-19, Musim Mas held in-person physical training and large-scale events regularly (at least once a year) to promote fire prevention and management.

While effective at keeping our colleagues safe from COVID-19, safety distancing measures have impeded the progress of fire prevention and management training, events, and outreach. Currently, communities are given leaflets detailing the dangers of fire and how to prevent them, banners reminding communities of how easily fires can spread are hoisted around villages, and training is now held online via Zoom or WhatsApp. Small-scale training and outreach activities are carried out whenever possible, abiding by the appropriate health and safety protocols. Fire patrols are ongoing as usual while still adhering to health protocols such as wearing masks, maintaining social distance, and avoiding big groups.

Read more about our programs here.