Since the catastrophic wildfires of 2019–2020, which affected approximately 30% of the Pantanal biome (Libonati et al. 2020), and the coordinated fires known as the “day of fire” in the Amazon (Braga and Marinho 2023), the topic of fire has dominated the headlines, drawing attention to the devastating impact on Brazilian biomes. In 2024, the situation remains critical, with much of the media focusing on negative aspects, such as economic challenges and severe effects on biodiversity, particularly emphasizing the direct relationship between wildfires and climate change (Pereira et al. 2024).

However, amid these challenges, there have been notable positive and transformative developments, particularly in Brazil. These include significant advancements in the scientific understanding of fire dynamics and the formulation of related public policies. A key achievement in fire research has been the growing recognition of fire's ecological role in fire-prone ecosystems, as well as a more nuanced and accurate assessment of its impacts on fire-sensitive areas globally (Harvey and Enright 2022). Brazil has emerged as a notable example in this regard, with a promising increase in long-term research projects focused on fire dynamics across diverse ecosystems (Pivello et al. 2021). These studies have provided crucial insights into the complex interactions between fire, vegetation, and climate, particularly in tropical regions where fire-vegetation relationships can differ significantly from those in other continents (Lehmann et al. 2014). Long-term research in these areas is essential for understanding the broader ecological and environmental consequences of fire.

Unlike the Amazon, where fire is primarily linked to deforestation and often causes severe damage to fire-sensitive ecosystems, fire-prone ecosystems in Brazil, such as the Cerrado and the Pantanal, have a long history of fire use as a management tool (Pivello et al. 2021; Pereira et al. 2024). The Cerrado, for example, has evolved alongside fire, and the use of controlled burns as a management practice has been integral to its ecological dynamics (Schmidt and Eloy 2020). Fidelis et al. (2018) highlight the significant role of fire in shaping the landscape of the Cerrado, particularly in 2017, when megafires and management interventions brought attention to the effectiveness of fire management strategies. Additionally, Pivello et al. (2021) discuss the causes and consequences of catastrophic fires in Brazil, emphasizing the need for fire management strategies that are adapted to local contexts to prevent future recurrences.

Recent initiatives in Brazil, particularly those focused on integrated fire management (IFM) in Indigenous lands and other protected areas, have demonstrated promising results in reducing the frequency, intensity, and extent of wildfires. For instance, Oliveira et al. (2022) and Santos et al. (2021) documented the effectiveness of IFM practices in regions such as the Pantanal and the Cerrado, highlighting significant reductions in fire occurrence and the mitigation of catastrophic fire events. In these ecosystems, IFM plays a crucial role in reducing fire risks while also contributing to the preservation of biodiversity (Barradas et al. 2020). The integration of traditional fire management knowledge, particularly that practiced by Indigenous communities, has been key to these successes. This approach reinforces the importance of context-specific strategies for managing fire in fire-prone ecosystems (Durigan 2020; Oliveira et al. 2022). Furthermore, these efforts have led to a reduction in carbon emissions (Franke et al. 2024) and the promotion of both pyrodiversity and biodiversity in fire-prone ecosystems (Ferreira et al. 2024). These outcomes underscore the critical need to understand the unique environmental dynamics of each region and the significant benefits that well-designed fire management programs can bring, not only in Brazil but globally.

Concomitant with the practical actions of implementing IFM, the Brazilian federal government took a major step forward by issuing a national policy that officially recognizes the ecological role of fire in the dynamics of many ecosystems (Law 14,944/24; BRASIL, 2024). The national IFM policy was developed through a long participatory process that engaged policymakers, decision-makers, practitioners, researchers, Indigenous Peoples, and other local communities. Several meetings and discussions took place before the final proposal was drafted and sent to the Brazilian Congress in 2018. This approach strengthened ownership and support for the policy, fostering more effective implementation.

The implementation of this novel policy has yielded several noteworthy advancements. First, this legislative measure establishes regulatory frameworks for IFM, formally acknowledging the complex interrelationship between fire and the natural environment and its ecological function. It also facilitates the adoption of more sustainable management practices designed to safeguard biodiversity and maintain ecosystem services. Additionally, the new national policy promotes interinstitutional collaboration in integrated fire management through the establishment of the National Committee for Integrated Fire Management (CNMIF), which will bring together stakeholders who were involved in developing the new policy. The policy further demonstrates a commitment to preserving and promoting traditional fire-management knowledge and practices associated with traditional fire use among Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Importantly, it challenges the perception that fire is inherently detrimental in all contexts and biomes, encouraging alternative technologies to replace fire use in fire-sensitive ecosystems while promoting disciplined and controlled fire application in fire-prone regions.

Another significant advancement resulting from the new policy is the guarantee of continuous actions for wildfire prevention and suppression. Results of enhanced interinstitutional coordination and firefighting efforts were evident during the 2024 fire season in the Pantanal biome. The Daily Severity Rating (DSR)—an index calculated from meteorological data to indicate the likelihood of fire spread—showed its highest values in over 40 years, surpassing even those recorded in 2020. However, despite this heightened risk, the extent of the burned area reversed its upward trend, decreasing by approximately 28% (Libonati et al. 2024). While this reduction is encouraging, attributing it exclusively to the recent implementation of more effective fire suppression strategies requires caution. Given that the IFM law was enacted only recently (2024), its immediate impact on wildfire frequency, especially in relation to local ranchers' practices, remains uncertain. Additionally, the current government's heightened focus on deforestation and fire-control measures, including stricter penalties and improved surveillance, has likely contributed to this positive outcome, as well (e.g., Silva Junior et al. 2021; Oliveira et al. 2023). Therefore, while these strategies likely form part of the solution, it remains premature to definitively credit them as the primary drivers behind the positive trend observed in 2024. Continued analysis of these outcomes should remain mindful of the broader policy and enforcement context.

The implementation of integrated fire management (IFM) primarily aims to reduce the frequency and negative impacts of fires while also taking into account the ecological role of fire and its social, cultural, and economic functions. An important concept addressed within IFM is adaptive management, particularly in the context of climate change. Traditional fire-use practices and conventional fire-avoidance strategies in fire-sensitive ecosystems may no longer yield the same positive results as observed in areas where IFM has been implemented over longer periods (Kalapodis and Sakkas 2024). This is primarily due to the escalating impacts of climate change and the long-term changes in vegetation dynamics caused by the suppression or mismanagement of fire in ecosystems (e.g., in Mediterranean or savanna ecosystems). As a result, wildfires have become larger, more frequent, and more intense. Studies have highlighted this shift in fire dynamics, with research focusing on ecosystems in countries such as Australia, the United States, and Greece, where IFM practices have evolved over time to address these challenges.

In Brazil, researchers are integrating these global insights into projects aimed at understanding fire dynamics across various ecosystems. Alongside these efforts, Brazil is advancing toward a new approach to fire management through a comprehensive strategy incorporating multiple coordinated initiatives, including policy development, regulation, and resource investment. For example, the Brazilian government has increased investment in fire management research and monitoring, with the 2024 budget earmarking additional funding for the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) to enhance fire monitoring and satellite technologies (Oliveira et al. 2023). The ALARMES system, developed by LASA/UFRJ, uses satellite images, heat sources, and artificial intelligence to map the location and extent of burnt areas in near real-time, aiding in the assessment of fire progression and containment strategies (https://alarmes.lasa.ufrj.br/). Another initiative is the Long-Term Ecological Research (PELD) project, which aims to understand the effects of fire and flooding on the dynamics of biota, landscape, and ecosystem services to support sustainable management in the Pantanal, in alignment with the local culture of the biome (https://nefaupeldfogopantanal-inbio.ufms.br/). These are some examples of new initiatives that evidence the growing investment and support for scientific and technological research on fire ecology and management.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed to all stages of the manuscript preparation, from the conception of the idea, writing and review.

Conflicts of Interest

We hereby declare no conflicts of interest and that all authors agree with this submission. The manuscript has never been published or is under review for publication elsewhere. All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or nonfinancial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.