Good Fire Podcast by Amy Cardinal Christianson and Matthew Kristoff

Stories of Indigenous fire stewardship, cultural and social empowerment, and environmental integrity

Episode highlight

In this episode, Ntando Nondo talks about Indigenous land stewardship and fire management practices in Zimbabwe.

Resources

Ntando Nondo’s Profile

Southern Africa Fire Network (SAFNET)

Sponsors

The Canadian Partnership for Wildland Fire Science

Support from:

●       California Indian Water Commission

●       Firesticks Alliance Indigenous Corporation

Quotes

42.08 - 42.16: “If there is a fire, you better use the little water you have to save your property.”

Takeaways

Fire management strategies (05.49)

Ntando shares that the fire management plan involves protecting the ecological regions depending on the amount of rainfall received, the wildlife living in the region and the kind of farming done there. 

The many uses and sources of fire (12.45)

For Indigenous peoples, fire is the primary source of energy and a cultural entity. Wildland fires can be started by a locomotive, electrical faults, or lightning.

Good fire (19.30)

Ntando explains that previously, communities were in charge of fire management on their own lands but fire now has regulations associated with it. They do their burning in designated areas ahead of the fire season, to reduce the fuel available to burn and reduce fire intensity.

Indigenous partnership with the government (25.58)

The 15+ Indigenous groups in Zimbabwe manage their lands on a day-to-day basis in consultation with the government.

Coming together to avert disasters (33.39)

Zimbabwe is a member of the Southern Africa Fire Network (SAFNET), a voluntary organization that shares strategies on fire management and developments across borders using remote sensing to alert neighbouring countries.

Beating the fires (39.26)

Ntando describes a fire beater as a wooden stick of 1.5m to 2m with a 40 X 60 cm piece of rubber on one end used to beat the fire grounds to remove oxygen from the fire. They also use sprayers, sprinklers and other tools to disperse chemicals and water.

Prepare for the worst, expect the best (43.29)

Ntando recalls the 2010 fire in the Midlands province lasted for 3 days, killing 7 elephants and several donkeys and domesticated animals. Fire breaks allow for effective demarcation of lands and timely fire management before the entire community is affected.

Fire then and now (47.01)

Ntando observes that fire used for indoor purposes like cooking or cultural ceremonies continues, but fire outside the home or in agriculture is restricted, especially during Zimbabwe’s fire season from 31st July to 31st October. He envisions consulting with Indigenous communities on fire management so that the fire can continue to play a central role in their culture.

The future of fire (55.06)

Satellite technology and remote sensing can be helpful in presenting a graphical summary of the success of fire management plans and inform further refinements to the plan.

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