Breaking barriers in the Brazilian Amazon

In the Brazilian Amazon, Indigenous women are stepping into fire management roles traditionally dominated by men. This article presents the case of the Xerente Indigenous women's volunteer fire brigade, the first of its kind in Brazil. Through technical training, community organizing, and environmental education, these women not only gained firefighting skills but also challenged deep-seated gender norms within their community. Their involvement has shifted the perception of women's capabilities in wildfire prevention and integrated fire management (IFM), promoting their inclusion in broader climate action efforts. The study draws on in-depth interviews and participant observation to explore how Xerente women overcame institutional and cultural barriers to create their own brigade. Supported by allies in government agencies and civil society, they implemented prescribed burns, restored degraded land, and formed a regional network of Indigenous women firefighters. Their initiative demonstrates how localized, gender-inclusive approaches to climate resilience can catalyze both environmental and social transformation. The Xerente case underscores the importance of empowering Indigenous women as leaders in climate adaptation and wildfire mitigation across the Amazon and beyond.