Community firefighters

Нow local communities in Belarus are taking on a global threat

January 16, 2026

Most forest fires in Belarus break out between 1pm and 7pm, largely from March to May. The timing is telling: the main cause is human activity — and that means the most effective answers are often found at the local level.

According to the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, in 2025, wildfires burned through nearly 390 million hectares worldwide — an area close to the size of the European Union. This issue is particularly relevant for the southern regions of Belarus, where climate change is being felt more sharply: rising temperatures increase the duration of dry spells, making even minor negligence extremely dangerous for forests.

Last December, residents in Ivatsevichy and Kalinkovichy, in Belarus’ Brest and Gomel regions, took part in an unusual set of events: seminars on preventing and spotting forest fires early.

Row of small flags on a conference table, including blue-white, red, and green flag with crest. — Photo: UNDP in Belarus

These sessions form part of a wider initiative — “Safeguarding Forests of Belarus: A Comprehensive Fire Preparedness Initiative for Community-Based Fire Prevention and Response” project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Belarus with financial support from China’s Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund.

Thoughtful blonde woman in a black blazer with hand to chin, in a crowded conference. — The focus is on young people, who are responsible for preserving nature in the future.

Photo: UNDP in Belarus

The aim of the seminars is to equip local people with knowledge that could one day protect their homes and nearby forests from fire. A special emphasis is placed on young people — those who will be responsible for safeguarding nature in the future.

The first seminar in the Ivatsevichy district brought together students from the local state agricultural college and members of the School Forestry Club. The second event in Kalinkovichy brought together more than 100 participants, ranging from high school students to senior citizens.

Photograph of a uniformed officer addressing a seated audience in a school auditorium. — Photo: UNDP in Belarus

UNDP experts and local forestry officials explained the types of forest fires, their classification, and the main causes. However, the sessions were not limited to theory. Participants worked through real-life scenarios: what should you do if you spot smoke in a forest? How can a fire be stopped at its earliest stage? How do you use basic firefighting equipment before firefighters arrive?

For many, it was the first time they had considered that their role might extend beyond calling 101. In reality, locals may find themselves among the first responders — well before a fire crew reaches the scene.

The Kalinkovichy district illustrates how the risks are growing. In 2025, there were 15 forest fires in the area, with the first recorded in late March — before the official start of the fire season. In total, 51 hectares of forest were destroyed, and most incidents were linked to human activity.

Red emergency vehicles in a muddy field with smoke; two tan dogs in the foreground. — Since the beginning of 2025, Belarusian forestry workers have responded to 765 forest fires.

Photo: Ministry of Forestry of Belarus/UNDP in Belarus

International experience suggests that community involvement can make a measurable difference. At the global level, experts note that in regions with community involvement programs for fire prevention and early detection, the number of fires has decreased by as much as 78% over several years.

People in villages and small towns know their surrounding forests intimately. They are often the first to notice warning signs — an unattended campfire, smoldering grass — and their proximity to the source gives them an advantage in the one resource that matters most in firefighting — time.

Projections indicate climate change could push the number of extreme fires worldwide up by 30% by 2050. In such conditions, the ability of local communities to react quickly and reduce risks in advance becomes more than a useful skill — it becomes a matter of strategic security.

The strategic importance of the “Safeguarding Forests of Belarus” project goes beyond preventing forest fires. It is about regional sustainability: protecting livelihoods, sustaining local economies that depend on forests, and limiting the wider impacts of climate change. Crucially, the project shifts emphasis from fighting fires after they start to stopping them before they take hold.

This work directly contributes to the goals of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030), reflecting its key priorities:

• Understanding disaster risk — educating residents about types of fires and their causes.

• Strengthening disaster risk governance — involving communities in prevention and early detection.

• Investing in risk reduction for resilience — funding projects and training.

• Enhancing disaster preparedness — developing response skills before professionals arrive.

Around the world, UNDP helps governments develop national strategies, supports local initiatives, and raises awareness of disaster risks.

A particular focus is on empowering local authorities and communities — because risk reduction is often most effective at the local level, where measures can be tailored to local realities.

The lesson from places such as Ivatsevichy and Kalinkovichy is both simple and widely applicable: in an age of global threats, some of the most effective solutions begin close to home, when communities take responsibility for the environment around them. The knowledge gained by young people and active citizens helps lay the foundations for future safety. These community firefighters may prove to be the strongest defense against disaster — long before the first flames take hold.