28/09/2026
🔥 Supporting Community-Led Fire Management in the South Rupununi !!
On 23 September, the University of Guyana’s Amerindian Research Unit (UG-ARU) joined communities and partner organisations in Sawariwau Village for practical fire management training with participants from Sawariwau, Katoonarib, and Shulinab.
Dr. Kayla de Freitas of UG-ARU supported the training alongside the South Rupununi Conservation Society (SRCS), drawing on ongoing research and community engagement around fire use, drought, biodiversity, and community-led approaches to fire management in the South Rupununi.
The training brought together Indigenous knowledge, local experience, research, and technical expertise. Participants discussed drought and changing fire conditions, fire management practices, legislation, and institutional roles before moving into practical sessions on the use of fire management equipment and a field-based prescribed burn exercise.
An important outcome was the strengthening of Sawariwau’s newly established community fire team. Members of the experienced Shulinab fire team also played an important role as trainers, sharing their knowledge and practical experience with participants from Sawariwau and Katoonarib.
For UG-ARU, this work forms part of a broader commitment to community-engaged research that directly supports Indigenous-led environmental management. Research is most valuable when it responds to community priorities, builds on existing knowledge, and contributes to practical action on the ground.
The training was supported by the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC), with logistical coordination and equipment support from SRCS and participation from the Guyana Fire and Rescue Service. UG-ARU continues to work alongside SRCS, SRDC, communities, and research partners to better understand changing fire patterns and support the development of locally appropriate community fire management plans.
As drought and changing environmental conditions increase concerns around wildfire, strengthening community fire teams, preventative burning, training, equipment, research, and long-term planning will be increasingly important.
We thank Sawariwau Village for hosting the training, the Shulinab fire team for sharing their experience, and all participating communities and partners for continuing to advance community-led fire management in the South Rupununi.
