More than 60 men and women from three rural communities in the San Cristóbal de Pucutá – Menkori Regional Conservation Area (RCA) proposal were equipped and trained in forest fire prevention and control as part of efforts to strengthen the local response to one of the main environmental threats in the department of Junín.
The theoretical and practical workshops were aimed at the community forest brigades of Santa Rosa de Toldopampa, Huánuco, and Santa Rosa de Runatullo, key Quechua communities in the protection of the headwaters that supply water to the Satipo, Chanchamayo, and Perené valleys.
The training sessions were led by the team of forest firefighters from the Pui Pui Protection Forest – SERNANP, and organized in conjunction with the Regional Natural Resources and Environmental Management Office (GRRNGA) of the Regional Government of Junín and Yunkawasi. The ATFFS Sierra Central of SERFOR and the PAIS Program also participated.
Community brigades: guardians and spokespersons for prevention
According to the Junín Region Forest Fire Disaster Risk Prevention and Reduction Plan (2024–2030), most of the fires recorded in the region are man-made, linked to grass burning and agricultural expansion. These practices have affected more than 16,000 hectares in recent years, including the nearby provinces where the proposed San Cristóbal de Pucutá – Menkori RCA is located.
The theoretical sessions were also aimed at community leaders and authorities. © Ely Candia | Yunkawasi
Therefore, these local strengthening spaces not only seek to train forest brigades as emergency response agents, but also to consolidate them as spokespersons for prevention, capable of disseminating safe and sustainable practices in their communities to prevent fires and protect the territories that sustain biodiversity and livelihoods in the region.
Action and learning from the field
During the training sessions, community members learned about fire behavior, terrain assessment, identification of safe areas, and direct and indirect control strategies, applying practical containment and suppression maneuvers in the field.
In addition, specialized equipment and tools, such as vests, boots, helmets, pulaski axes, gorguis, and fire beaters, were provided, donated thanks to the Conserva Aves Initiative, through Profonanpe, to reinforce the capacity for action of the community forest brigades.
The field practices were led and supervised by park rangers from the Pui Pui Protected Forest – Sernanp. ©Ely Candia | Yunkawasi
Consolidating the process of establishing the RCA proposal
This activity also seeks to promote local participation and leadership in advancing the San Cristóbal de Pucutá – Menkori RCA proposal, creating spaces where communities, institutions, and allies work together for a sustainable development model that promotes local benefits and ensures the conservation of natural resources.
The proposal is currently in the third stage of its establishment process, a phase in which agreements with local actors are consolidated and the foundations are laid for future participatory co-management.
This initiative seeks to legally protect around 60,000 hectares and is led by the Regional Government of Junín, with technical and financial support from Yunkawasi, Rainforest Trust, Andes Amazon Fund, and the Conserva Aves Initiative, through its leading partners in Peru, Profonanpe and Ecoan.
