Résumé
1. Several decades of frustrated attempts to prevent fires in the
Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) have led to deleterious ecological and
management consequences. In 2014, the first Integrated Fire Management
(IFM) program was launched in three protected areas (PA). 2. The IFM
program considers local practices, ecological information, management
options, and aims to create landscape mosaics of different fire histories
to conserve biodiversity, reduce the prevalence of late-dry season (LDS)
wildfires, protect fire-sensitive vegetation, and reduce conflicts between
PA managers and local communities. 3. The first three years of imposed
fire management regimes led to 40-57% reduction in LDS fires, improved
dialogue between researchers, managers and local communities, generating
fire management learning communities. 4. Synthesis and applications. This
Integrated Fire Management programme represents a major advance in Cerrado
management and conservation, by actively managing fires and decreasing the
proportional of areas burnt by late-dry season wildfires. It can
contribute to protected areas’ management in Cerrado and other South
American fire-prone ecosystems. Long-term monitoring and research are
essential to understand the ecological implications and to improve fire
management practices.