environment
Fire rangers of Mongolian steppe: climate crisis spurs revival of ancient knowledge
Fire has always been part of life on the grasslands, but has grown worse due to rising temperatures and severe droughts. In response, people have turned to their nomadic heritage to help tackle the blazes.
TL;DR
- Wildfires on Mongolian grasslands are worsening due to climate change, with temperatures rising and droughts increasing.
- Ancient nomadic practices, including horse domestication and a nomadic lifestyle, provided essential survival strategies against fires.
- Historically, Mongolians used horseback rangers to detect and combat fires by digging trenches and creating firebreaks.
- Approximately 95% of steppe and forest fires in Mongolia are caused by human activity.
- Modern initiatives are blending traditional knowledge with technology such as satellite detection, weather modeling, and improved communication systems.
- The Mongolian government is supporting initiatives to strengthen its fire ranger corps and encouraging people to return to or remain in rural communities.
- Projects with international partners aim to improve wildfire forecasting, reporting, and suppression management, including providing new firefighting equipment and training.