Burning for Balance: A One Health Guided Look at Indigenous-Led Fire Management and Cultural Burning as a Solution to Forest Fires

Forest fires, an increasingly frequent and severe global issue, are exacerbated by factors such as climate change, poor land management, deforestation, and rising temperatures. As a wicked problem, these fires are a complex challenge with no definitive solution, significantly affecting humans, non-human animals, and the environment. Considering periods such as the 2019-2020 Australian bushfire season, for example, the far-reaching consequences of wildfires, including ecosystem destruction, biodiversity loss, and severe health impacts on both humans and non-human animals become evident. While various fire management strategies have been implemented, certain attempts to address the issue are particularly effective. Notably, Firesticks is an Indigenous-led organization promoting cultural burning as a sustainable fire mitigation approach. By applying the One Health framework, this article emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, public health strategies, and sustainable fire prevention efforts that integrate scientific research with traditional Indigenous ecological knowledge. Addressing the complexity of forest fires requires adaptive, multifaceted solutions that balance environmental conservation, human and non-human animal safety, and long-term ecosystem resilience.