Contribution to vegetation fire management

Vegetation burning is a very common practice in tropical areas. However, beyond certain burning standards, the practical benefits of fire are outweighed by its harmful effects on ecosystems. Despite awareness campaigns, uncontrolled fires are recorded every year across much of the country. This study aims to improve fire management. Between 2003 and 2014, fires burned 8,836 km² annually in Togo, representing 15.61% of the country’s territory. The burned areas are 2.08 times larger than the detected areas. The intensity of the fires ranges from 1,184 ± 192 to 3,207 ± 357 kW/m. Repeated fires have resulted in the release of 8,008 ± 4,750 tons of carbon. Effective fire management depends on a good understanding of fire behavior and the effective adoption of prevention and management tools by stakeholders. An integrated approach to fire management is essential to bring fire management closer to integral human development through literacy, poverty reduction, and the empowerment of local communities.