CONTEXTUALIZATION 

The State of Tocantins, part of the Legal Amazon region, contains areas of Cerrado and Amazon rainforest within its territory and faces recurring challenges related to illegal burnings and forest fires, often linked to agricultural practices. In 2023, 9,294 fire hotspots were recorded, and in 2024, the number rose to 16,586 — a 72% increase compared to the previous year. Despite recent advances in monitoring and firefighting policies, the state remains among the ten with the highest number of occurrences. The limited infrastructure of the Tocantins Military Fire Department (CBMTO) — including an insufficient fleet, scarce equipment, and lack of monitoring technologies — undermines the effectiveness of firefighting efforts. These fires impact biodiversity, release greenhouse gases, and harm local communities.

THE PROJECT

The project includes three main components: (1) strengthening monitoring and control, through the acquisition of drones to support more efficient firefighting and inspection strategies; (2) equipping and structuring the Tocantins Military Fire Department (CBMTO), with the purchase of Forest Firefighting Tank Trucks, equipped pick-up vehicles, mobile command posts, and personal protective equipment for firefighters; and (3) educational and training actions, offered as a non-financial counterpart by CBMTO, aimed at the formation of civilian brigades and the training of farmers, indigenous communities, and public school students.

INTERVENTION LOGIC

The project is part of the “monitoring and control” (2) component of the Amazon Fund’s Logical Framework, contributing directly to the reduction of areas affected by forest fires and illegal burnings. The intervention logic is to structure the Tocantins Military Fire Department (CBMTO) with technology, vehicles, supplies, and training, in order to increase efficiency in prevention, inspection, and firefighting efforts.