Towards Integrated Fire Management: Strengthening Forest Fire Legislation and Policies in the Andean Community of Nations

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

A manuscript entitled " Towards Harmonized Fire Management: Strengthening Forest Fire Legislation and Policies in the Andean Community of Nations" addresses an urgent problem of fragmented forest fire laws within the Andean regions. The manuscript, however, presently reads more like an overview of policies rather than a peer-reviewed article. To strengthen this work, the authors might consider providing in-depth analysis, empirical data, and clear recommendations. Revisions must aim to enhance the scholarly depth and originality, ensuring the manuscript contribution offers substantive insights that advance understanding and inspire meaningful policy reform.

 

Recommendations

1. In its current version, table 1 and 2 are notably dense and difficult to interpret. To improve clarity, it's advisable to split the data by country, which can make comparisons easier. I would also suggest the authors to use visual summaries like charts or graphs to convey the key points and moving detailed information to an appendix.

 

2. The ADIFM proposal currently falls short in providing clear operational guidance. It needs more detailed information on how governance will be structured, how implementation will be managed, and what enforcement mechanisms will ne in place. Drawing examples from other regional directives cloud help clarity these aspects and promote smoother compliance.

 

3. The manuscript primarily presents a list of laws, but it falls short by not examining how effective these laws actually are, how well they are enforced, or if there are any conflicts among them? To truly understand their impact, it's essential to include real-world examples and conduct a more in-depth analysis.

 

4. The text repeats definitions and background details that readers already know. Cutting these parts would leave more space for analysis and help focus on the main findings.

 

5. The authors should decide if the paper is a policy suggestion of a peer-reviewed comparative study. If it's the latter, it must be more thorough. Use clear methods-set evaluation standards, compare results based on outcomes and talk to those involved.

 

I also spot different fonts used though out the manuscript. Here, I would recommend revising the manuscript with a clearer emphasis on how the findings can inform the development of effective, context-specific forest fire policies in the Andean region.

Author Response

We sincerely appreciate your valuable comments and observations on the manuscript. In response, we have addressed each of your concerns and marked the modifications in green to facilitate your review. Additionally, all changes made are noted with the change control feature enabled in the Word document.

 

Reviewer 1

A manuscript entitled " Towards Harmonized Fire Management: Strengthening Forest Fire Legislation and Policies in the Andean Community of Nations" addresses an urgent problem of fragmented forest fire laws within the Andean regions. The manuscript, however, presently reads more like an overview of policies rather than a peer-reviewed article. To strengthen this work, the authors might consider providing in-depth analysis, empirical data, and clear recommendations. Revisions must aim to enhance the scholarly depth and originality, ensuring the manuscript contribution offers substantive insights that advance understanding and inspire meaningful policy reform.

We thank the reviewer for their positive assessment of our work. We fully agree on the importance of deepening the study's analysis. To this end, we have strengthened our analysis through three key improvements:

1. We conducted a detailed examination of the laws and public policies of each country individually. In the methodology section, we added country-specific criteria and a quantitative evaluation approach. This allowed us to generate comparative radar charts, following the methodology applied in recent studies such as:

Wang, W. (2016). Using radar chart to evaluate laws' influence on brownfield aesthetics for suggestions of future lawmaking in the US and China.

Vargas, J.-P., & Quintanilla, A. (2017). Evaluación legislativa: un análisis comparado entre Guatemala y Costa Rica. Revista Análisis de la Realidad Nacional, Año 6 (Edición 120), Junio, 84–109.

2. We collected primary data through a Google Forms survey targeted at public officials, representatives of risk management institutions, firefighters, researchers, and agricultural producers. This provided relevant insights into the current situation in each of the Andean Community countries.
3. Based on these analyses, we enhanced our proposal for the Andean Regional Agenda for Integrated Fire Management. The revised proposal incorporates cultural, climatic, fuel load, and ecological aspects, among others, resulting in a more comprehensive and robust manuscript.

Recommendations

1. In its current version, table 1 and 2 are notably dense and difficult to interpret. To improve clarity, it's advisable to split the data by country, which can make comparisons easier. I would also suggest the authors to use visual summaries like charts or graphs to convey the key points and moving detailed information to an appendix.

Thank you for your comment. Accordingly, we have performed a comparative analysis between countries and I present the results in radar diagrams considering quantitative evaluation scales. In addition, we applied a survey using Google Forms to key stakeholders which improved the analysis with primary data. We thank the reviewer for this suggestion which has now substantially improved our manuscript.

 

2. The ADIFM proposal currently falls short in providing clear operational guidance. It needs more detailed information on how governance will be structured, how implementation will be managed, and what enforcement mechanisms will ne in place. Drawing examples from other regional directives cloud help clarity these aspects and promote smoother compliance.

 We appreciate the reviewer's valuable comment. We fully agree on the need to strengthen the operational aspects of the proposal for an Andean regional agenda. In this new version of the manuscript, we have incorporated relevant examples from other regional agendas -particularly from the South American context- to illustrate concrete governance schemes, implementation mechanisms and financing strategies. We have also expanded the proposal with key components such as the recognition of the indigenous and cultural use of fire, as well as the need for intercultural and multisectoral approaches. We believe that these additions respond adequately to the concerns raised and enrich the applicability of the proposal.

3. The manuscript primarily presents a list of laws, but it falls short by not examining how effective these laws actually are, how well they are enforced, or if there are any conflicts among them? To truly understand their impact, it's essential to include real-world examples and conduct a more in-depth analysis.

 We sincerely appreciate this observation, which we consider essential for strengthening the approach of the manuscript. We have addressed your suggestion by incorporating a deeper comparative analysis of the effectiveness, implementation, and limitations of laws related to fire use in the Andean Community. From a methodological perspective, we expanded the research using a qualitative-comparative and documentary analysis approach, based on the laws, policies, and regulations of the four Andean countries (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia). The results are presented in radar diagrams, following the methodology used in other studies (Wang, 2016), as previously explained.

This analysis was complemented by systematizing information obtained through structured surveys administered to key stakeholders involved in fire management, such as technical personnel, institutional representatives, and local communities, among others.

These surveys—whose results are now included in the Results and Discussion section—helped identify perceptions regarding regulatory compliance, the most common obstacles to implementation, and the existence of tensions between current legal frameworks and traditional fire uses in rural or indigenous contexts.

 

Additionally, we have incorporated empirical examples and representative cases that illustrate the disparity between what the laws establish and what occurs in practice. For instance, we highlight how traditional fire use remains prevalent in several local contexts without legal recognition, generating normative conflicts or institutional gaps. Differences in the application of sanctions and in the effectiveness of control and prevention mechanisms are also presented, as shown by the low levels of trust in environmental authorities, according to the collected data.

Overall, these improvements allow for a more comprehensive understanding of the real impact of the studied laws and public policies, reinforcing the need for an Andean Regional Agenda for Integrated Fire Management. This agenda should integrate ecological, sociocultural, and technical-institutional perspectives, aligning legislation with the social and environmental realities of the Andean region.

4. The text repeats definitions and background details that readers already know. Cutting these parts would leave more space for analysis and help focus on the main findings.

 Thank you for your observation, and we have addressed it accordingly. We have carefully reviewed the manuscript to remove unnecessary repetitions of definitions and background information that are already well-known to the specialized audience. This revision allowed us to optimize the manuscript’s length, focusing more on an in-depth and clear analysis of the main findings. Consequently, the manuscript now provides a more direct and focused presentation of the results and discussion, enhancing its clarity and relevance for readers.

4. The authors should decide if the paper is a policy suggestion of a peer-reviewed comparative study. If it's the latter, it must be more thorough. Use clear methods-set evaluation standards, compare results based on outcomes and talk to those involved.

We appreciate the reviewer’s valuable recommendation. In response, we have thoroughly revised the manuscript to clearly define its scope as a peer-reviewed comparative study with policy implications. Methodologically, we employed a mixed approach that includes a detailed review and comparative analysis of forest fire legislation across the Andean Community countries, supported by survey data collected from stakeholders involved in natural resource management, agriculture, firefighting, and environmental management.

We established clear evaluation criteria based on legal frameworks, enforcement mechanisms, cultural considerations, and community participation. The results section includes a comparative analysis grounded in these criteria, highlighting similarities, differences, and gaps between countries. Additionally, we incorporated feedback from participants through survey responses to contextualize and validate our findings.

Overall, this comprehensive approach strengthens the manuscript’s rigor and relevance as a policy-oriented comparative study, addressing the reviewer’s concerns.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

1.The total number of citations should be reviewed, as in-text citations do not consistently correspond with the references listed in the bibliography. For example, the citation “Despite their relevance to the scientific community, studies on forest fires in 81 this region are limited. However, the work done in Colombia [23], Ecuador [24], 82 Peru [25] and Bolivia [26]…” is not matched with any entry in the reference section: [23] Carrión-Paladines, V.; Correa-Quezada, L.; Valdiviezo, H.; Zurita, J.; Pereddo, A.; Zambrano, M.; Loján-Córdova, J. Exploring the ethnobiological practices of fire in three natural regions of Ecuador, through the integration of traditional knowledge and scientific approaches. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2024, 20, 60....

2. The Introduction refers to the use of fire as an ancestral cultural practice, yet it omits reference to recent studies from countries of the Andean Community of Nations that demonstrate fire use as primarily a quick, low-cost, and practical method for disposing of agricultural waste. This omission is significant, as it directly relates to the rationale for Integrated Fire Management (IFM) proposed by the authors.

3. In the Results and Discussion section, although Table 2 lists public policies related to wildfires and identifies the responsible agencies, there is no analysis of how these policies are implemented in practice. For instance, the article does not clarify which institutions—across different government sectors—are responsible for monitoring, prevention, or emergency response (which are almost never the same institutions responsible for policy formulation). A comprehensive understanding of these institutional arrangements is essential to support the development of an Andean Framework Directive on fire management.

4. The article also fails to examine or compare how state funding for wildfire prevention and emergency response is structured across the four countries. There is no discussion of which sectors manage these funds or whether they are administered through special projects, budgetary programs, or other mechanisms. Understanding these differences and commonalities is critical to advancing the IFM approach, as financial governance is a central component of policy implementation.

5. The article does not clearly distinguish between wildfires occurring in Andean and high Andean regions and those occurring in the Amazon. All four countries lie within the Amazon Basin, yet the article overlooks the distinct ecological and socio-political dynamics of fire in these regions. These differences should be reflected in any Integrated Fire Management (IFM) framework.

6. While the topic addressed is of great importance, and the comparison across the four countries—as well as the proposal of an IFM approach—is valuable, the analysis is limited by its reliance on secondary sources. It is strongly recommended that the authors collect primary data through surveys and/or interviews (which can be conducted virtually) with: (i) officials from the agencies responsible for public policies; (ii) officials from the institutions in charge of wildfire prevention; (iii) personnel responsible for emergency wildfire response; and (iv) researchers in the field. Data collection should explore both perceptions of current national policies and assessments of IFM feasibility, in order to identify gaps and strengths in each context.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

We sincerely appreciate your valuable comments and observations on the manuscript. In response, we have addressed each of your concerns and marked the modifications in green to facilitate your review. Additionally, all changes made are noted with the change control feature enabled in the Word document.

Reviewer 2

1.The total number of citations should be reviewed, as in-text citations do not consistently correspond with the references listed in the bibliography. For example, the citation “Despite their relevance to the scientific community, studies on forest fires in 81 this region are limited. However, the work done in Colombia [23], Ecuador [24], 82 Peru [25] and Bolivia [26]…” is not matched with any entry in the reference section: [23] Carrión-Paladines, V.; Correa-Quezada, L.; Valdiviezo, H.; Zurita, J.; Pereddo, A.; Zambrano, M.; Loján-Córdova, J. Exploring the ethnobiological practices of fire in three natural regions of Ecuador, through the integration of traditional knowledge and scientific approaches. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2024, 20, 60....

We appreciate the reviewer’s observation regarding the correspondence between in-text citations and the references listed in the bibliography. We have carefully reviewed all citations and corrected any inconsistencies. Now, each reference cited in the text correctly matches its corresponding entry in the reference section, including the citation mentioned about studies in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. This review ensures consistency and accuracy in the management of the sources used in the manuscript.

2. The Introduction refers to the use of fire as an ancestral cultural practice, yet it omits reference to recent studies from countries of the Andean Community of Nations that demonstrate fire use as primarily a quick, low-cost, and practical method for disposing of agricultural waste. This omission is significant, as it directly relates to the rationale for Integrated Fire Management (IFM) proposed by the authors.

Thank you for your comment. We agree with the reviewer that this information was necessary and its absence in the introduction represented an important limitation. In response, we have expanded and deepened the content of this section, integrating data from recent studies on the use of fire by indigenous communities in the Andean context. In particular, we have pointed out that, in addition to its ancestral cultural dimension, fire is used as an economical, fast and practical method for the elimination of agricultural residues. We are grateful for this valuable contribution, which has allowed us to strengthen and conceptually balance the approach presented in the manuscript.

3. In the Results and Discussion section, although Table 2 lists public policies related to wildfires and identifies the responsible agencies, there is no analysis of how these policies are implemented in practice. For instance, the article does not clarify which institutions—across different government sectors—are responsible for monitoring, prevention, or emergency response (which are almost never the same institutions responsible for policy formulation). A comprehensive understanding of these institutional arrangements is essential to support the development of an Andean Framework Directive on fire management.

We sincerely appreciate this insightful observation, which we consider highly valuable for strengthening our manuscript. In response, we have expanded the Results and Discussion section by incorporating a more in-depth analysis of the institutional arrangements involved in the implementation of public policies related to wildfires. Specifically, we have included radar charts that assess interinstitutional coordination as a key criterion for each country analyzed.

We kindly invite the reviewer to consult the revised Materials and Methods section, where we detail the methodology used for this assessment. The analysis clearly reveals institutional gaps, fragmentation, and overlaps in fire governance across the Andean region. These findings further support the urgent need for the implementation of a Regional Andean Agenda for Integrated Fire Management (RAAIFM). Our approach goes beyond merely identifying the responsible institutions, it also aims to propose articulated and multisectoral strategies that can enhance the implementation, coordination, and effectiveness of public policies at both national and subnational levels.

4. The article also fails to examine or compare how state funding for wildfire prevention and emergency response is structured across the four countries.There is no discussion of which sectors manage these funds or whether they are administered through special projects, budgetary programs, or other mechanisms. Understanding these differences and commonalities is critical to advancing the IFM approach, as financial governance is a central component of policy implementation.

We sincerely appreciate this observation, which we consider essential for strengthening the Integrated Fire Management (IFM) approach in the Andean region. In response, we have expanded the analysis in the Results and Discussion section to include a specific assessment of the financial architecture in each of the four countries with regard to wildfire prevention and response. This analysis revealed that a common limitation across the countries studied is the lack of specific regulations and weak political management related to fire management financing. These issues are addressed in detail in the revised sections “3.3. Comparative evaluation of legal frameworks and public policies on forest fires in the Andean Community” and “3.4. Perceptions of key stakeholders regarding legislation and public policies related to forest fires in the Andean Community”. We highlight structural gaps in budget allocation, reliance on ad hoc or international cooperation funds, and the absence of these resources in long-term national investment plans. Furthermore, as part of our proposal for an Andean Regional Agenda for Integrated Fire Management (ADIFM), we emphasize the need to incorporate financial governance as a cross-cutting axis. Accordingly, the manuscript discusses strategies aimed at promoting sustainable financing mechanisms, including the creation of multisectoral funds, decentralized budget management schemes, and stronger coordination across levels of government, with the goal of ensuring effective and continuous policy implementation.

We believe that this revised version of the manuscript adequately addresses your valuable comment, as it acknowledges that advancing toward a comprehensive and operational regional fire management policy is not possible without a deep analysis of public financial structures and dynamics.

 

5. The article does not clearly distinguish between wildfires occurring in Andean and high Andean regions and those occurring in the Amazon.All four countries lie within the Amazon Basin, yet the article overlooks the distinct ecological and socio-political dynamics of fire in these regions. These differences should be reflected in any Integrated Fire Management (IFM) framework.

We sincerely appreciate this observation, which we consider very pertinent. In response to your suggestion, we have incorporated at the beginning of the discussion section a paragraph that explicitly recognizes the ecological, cultural and climatic differences between the main geographic regions of the Andean countries -coast, highlands and Amazonia- and how these particularities affect fire dynamics. To support this analysis, we include the recent study by Carrión-Paladines et al. (2024 [24]), which addresses this issue in the Ecuadorian context. We also highlight the heterogeneity of legal frameworks among the countries of the Andean Community as an additional factor that increases the complexity of fire management at the regional level. To We believe that these contributions significantly strengthen the argument for a differentiated and contextualized regional approach to Integrated Fire Management (IFM).

6. While the topic addressed is of great importance, and the comparison across the four countries—as well as the proposal of an IFM approach—is valuable, the analysis is limited by its reliance on secondary sources.It is strongly recommended that the authors collect primary data through surveys and/or interviews (which can be conducted virtually) with: (i) officials from the agencies responsible for public policies; (ii) officials from the institutions in charge of wildfire prevention; (iii) personnel responsible for emergency wildfire response; and (iv) researchers in the field. Data collection should explore both perceptions of current national policies and assessments of IFM feasibility, in order to identify gaps and strengths in each context.

We sincerely appreciate the reviewer’s observation regarding the need to incorporate primary data to strengthen the analysis. In fact, an online survey was conducted using the Google Forms platform, specifically targeting the key stakeholders you mention, including:

(i) officials from agencies responsible for public policy;

(ii) representatives of institutions in charge of wildfire prevention;

(iii) personnel involved in wildfire emergency response; and

(iv) researchers and agricultural producers with experience in fire management.

The survey consisted of 27 questions, both open- and closed-ended, and was directed at individuals between the ages of 25 and 60. A total of 47 participants from the four Andean countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru) took part in the survey, providing insights into current national policies as well as preliminary assessments of the feasibility of the proposed Integrated Fire Management (IFM) approach. The collected information has been incorporated into the relevant section of the manuscript.

We once again thank the reviewer for this valuable suggestion, which aligns with the methodological approach adopted and reinforces the validity of our analysis.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I congratulate the authors on their work and would be pleased to review a new version of the manuscript, as the contributions they will make are sure to be valuable.

The use of the term "harmonized" in the title could be reconsidered, as "intercultural or integrated" may be more appropriate. Given the high biocultural richness of the study region.

L 47-48 “Regional policies do not always address the specific cultural, environmental, and socioeconomic realities of each country”. A citation is needed here.

L47–50 It is suggested to review studies conducted in Latin America, where some government projects have already incorporated cultural and intercultural fire management approaches in the updating of their fire management programs. There are specific cases in countries such as Belize and Mexico.

L81-87 It is suggested to review relevant studies conducted in that region at this point: Luna-Celino and Meza Elizalde.

Citations 23, 24, 26, 26, 27, 43, 49, and 57 do not correspond to the bibliographic reference. Please carefully check that the numbering is correct throughout the document.

L 112-115 “Fire ecologists now view fire as a dynamic ecological force with profound evolutionary consequences, largely influenced by human activity. Some ecosystems are fire-adapted, where fire plays a functional role, while others are fire-sensitive, where forest fires can pose significant ecological risks”. A citation is needed here.

L 122 It is suggested review: Pyne, Stephen.

L 143 A citation is missing here.

L 154 It is necessary to clearly define what is meant by “integrated fire management”. As far as I know, this concept could align with your proposal, however, I suggest considering the intercultural fire management approach, as it provides a framework that is more contextualized to the Latin American reality and could offer a more suitable basis for the strategy presented in the manuscript.

L 251-253 How has the strong intervention of the United States Forest Service, particularly in Ecuador and Bolivia, influenced the shift from cultural fire management to a fire suppression-focused approach? And in what ways might this influence have extended to national laws and regulations, promoting legal frameworks that undermine ancestral knowledge and traditional fire management practices?

L261-265 A citation is missing here.

L 289-290 I believe that less than a month ago, the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management in Colombia signed a decree on the importance of the use of technical fire. This same unit is proposing a vision for fire management.

L 302-305 The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a tool for coordination and effectiveness in intercultural fire management should be cited with caution. While GIS can be valuable for spatial analysis and planning, in many countries its application has led to a reductionist interpretation of fire, assuming that all detected heat points correspond to wildfires. This has resulted in excessive regulation or unjustified surveillance of territories, particularly in Latin America. Therefore, it is essential to complement GIS-generated data with rigorous triangulation of field, historical, and social information to avoid simplistic diagnoses and to promote a more comprehensive and context-sensitive understanding of fire use, as some authors have proposed through the concept of “pyrobiocultural territories”.

L 325–328 While the proposal to move toward an Andean Framework Directive on fire management is relevant and valuable for strengthening regional cooperation, it is essential not to overlook the deep complexity of the Latin American context, which differs substantially from the European one in multiple dimensions social, cultural, ecological, and political.

This region not only presents institutional and regulatory heterogeneity among countries, but also a rich presence of Indigenous peoples. Ignoring this dimension in an attempt to replicate European normative models could lead to inappropriate or even counterproductive solutions. Therefore, any regional legal harmonization initiative must be grounded in the recognition and appreciation of this diversity and promote flexible and intercultural frameworks that incorporate local knowledge and practices as a fundamental part of public fire management policies. It is suggested to review the work of Rodríguez Iokiñe, Adriana Millán, and Jalamix Mistry.

L 304 Perhaps in section 3.2, "as precedents" could be added, meaning... “Comparative Analysis of Public Policies as Precedents for Fire Management in the Andean Region”, as mentioned in line... 407-408 “…no country in the region has a comprehensive public fire management policy as is the case in other countries”

L 308-370 Perhaps you could cite “Decolonizing wildfire...” by Rodriguez et al., 2023, to suggest that the vision of fire exclusion is part of a regulatory process.

L397-399 It should also be added that training in prescribed burns is being organized as part of the technical use of fire, along with the development of intercultural dialogues between the Unit and community leaders

To complement the information presented in section 3.3 and to give due relevance to topics such as prevention, suppression, cultural fire management, and fire ecology, it may be useful to review: Goldammer J, Pasiecznik N (eds.). Towards Fire-Smart Landscapes. Published as a book chapter in Tropical Forest Issues 61. Tropenbos International: Ede, the Netherlands.

Section 3.4. It is recommended to complement the analysis by emphasizing the need to contextualize the Andean region, avoiding regulations that treat the territory as homogeneous. On the contrary, it is essential to highlight the value of pyrobiocultural territories and ensure that contributions are made from an interdisciplinary perspective. Valuable proposals have already been developed in other regions of Latin America, and these should be reviewed to further strengthen the formulation of the six proposed points. In this regard, it is advisable to revisit the works of the previously mentioned authors.

Section 3.4. It is recommended to organize the information according to the three components of the fire management approach, and to apply the same structure to the diagram, as each component has its specific place. This would also make the diagram clearer, particularly in showing what actions should be taken from the perspectives of fire management policies, fire ecology, and cultural fire management.

L 497-498  A citation should be included here  “Ignoring this ancestral knowledge not only represents a loss of cultural heritage but can also lead to ineffective or counterproductive fire management strategies”.

L499-503 Please include valid references, as this one is not appropriate

L507-509 Rather than focusing solely on education and training for wildfire suppression, priority should be given to revitalizing community-based forms of organization, allowing institutions to integrate into and strengthen the processes already in place within communities rather than the other way around. Experience has shown that top-down approaches have rarely been effective or sustainable. Review: Goldammer J, Pasiecznik N (eds.). Towards Fire-Smart Landscapes. 

L539-543 To what extent can the “Amazonía sin Fuego” program truly be considered aligned with the principles of Integrated Fire Management (IFM), or is its approach, at its core, focused on fire suppression and the delegitimization of the cultural use of fire by Indigenous communities?

L523-528 Any initiative aimed at establishing a regional regulatory framework for fire management must begin with the full recognition of the ways of life of Indigenous peoples and local communities. These peoples have their own forms of community organization, through which they establish rules, agreements, and internal cultural fire management mechanisms based on their customs and traditions. Therefore, any attempt to harmonize or regulate fire management at the regional level must be built with the direct participation of these communities, recognizing their legitimacy as political actors and guardians of their territories. Regulation cannot be uniform or centralized, it must be flexible, intercultural, and respectful of the diverse local realities. I suggest reviewing the works of 1) Contreras, M. E. G., Cabello, A. S., & García, A. S., 2) Inturias, M., & Fernandez, I. R., 3) Iokiñe Rodríguez & Mirna Liz Inturias.

How do the authors propose to develop a proposal for the entire Andean region, considering the complexity of the existing legal frameworks in each country, which include regulations at the national, departmental, provincial, municipal, and community levels?

Are the 113 citations necessary?

 

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

We sincerely appreciate your valuable comments and observations on the manuscript. In response, we have addressed each of your concerns and marked the modifications in green to facilitate your review. Additionally, all changes made are noted with the change control feature enabled in the Word document.

Reviewer 3

I congratulate the authors on their work and would be pleased to review a new version of the manuscript, as the contributions they will make are sure to be valuable.

The use of the term "harmonized" in the title could be reconsidered, as "intercultural or integrated" may be more appropriate. Given the high biocultural richness of the study region.

Thank you for your comment and we have welcomed all your recommendations in the manuscript. In addition, in the title we have changed the term “harmonized” to “integrated” to accommodate your suggestion because of the biocultural richness of the region studied.

L 47-48 “Regional policies do not always address the specific cultural, environmental, and socioeconomic realities of each country”. A citation is needed here.

Thank you for your observation. We have incorporated a quote from Rodriguez-Pose (2013), who argues that the effectiveness of regional policies depends closely on local institutions and characteristics. This reinforces the idea that a one-size-fits-all approach is not possible, as cultural, environmental and socioeconomic differences between countries require context-specific responses.

L47–50 It is suggested to review studies conducted in Latin America, where some government projects have already incorporated cultural and intercultural fire management approaches in the updating of their fire management programs. There are specific cases in countries such as Belize and Mexico.

We thank you for your valuable suggestion. In response, we have incorporated the cultural and intercultural perspective on fire management in the corresponding lines of the manuscript, including concrete examples from Venezuela, Brazil, Guyana and Mexico. We believe that this incorporation enriches the analysis and provides greater contextual depth to the proposed approach.

L81-87 It is suggested to review relevant studies conducted in that region at this point: Luna-Celino and Meza Elizalde.

We thank the reviewer for his pertinent suggestion. We have incorporated the studies by Luna-Celino and Meza, which address both the effects of fire on the functional diversity of tropical forests and the relevance of indigenous ancestral knowledge in the management of natural resources. We consider that this inclusion substantially enriches the content and depth of the manuscript.

Citations 23, 24, 26, 26, 27, 43, 49, and 57 do not correspond to the bibliographic reference. Please carefully check that the numbering is correct throughout the document.

We thank the reviewer for this careful and pertinent observation. In response, we have thoroughly reviewed the indicated citations. References 23, 24, 25, and 26 have been corrected to ensure consistency with the bibliography. Citations 27 and 49 were verified and found to be accurate and properly aligned with the manuscript content. Regarding citation 57, although the reference was correct, we have improved the wording of the corresponding passage to enhance clarity for the reader.

L 112-115 “Fire ecologists now view fire as a dynamic ecological force with profound evolutionary consequences, largely influenced by human activity. Some ecosystems are fire-adapted, where fire plays a functional role, while others are fire-sensitive, where forest fires can pose significant ecological risks”. A citation is needed here.

We thank the reviewer for his valuable observation. In response, we have incorporated the quote from Whitlock & Knox (2002), which addresses the evolutionary consequences of fire influenced by human activity, as well as the reference to Tubbesing et al. (2020), which distinguishes between ecosystems adapted to fire and those sensitive to its impact. We consider that these additions conceptually strengthen the argument and adequately support the claims of the text.

L 122 It is suggested review: Pyne, Stephen.

We appreciate the reviewer's suggestion. In view of this, we have incorporated the work of Stephen Pyne in the corresponding section (Line 122), given its relevance as a fundamental reference in the historical and ecological study of fire. This inclusion enriches the conceptual framework of the manuscript and provides solid theoretical support for the analysis presented.

L 143 A citation is missing here.

We thank the reviewer for this observation. In response, we have included the corresponding bibliographic references that support the importance of analyzing legislative and policy trends as a basis for identifying institutional strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and opportunities. This analysis is essential for developing informed recommendations to improve forest fire management.

L 154 It is necessary to clearly define what is meant by “integrated fire management”. As far as I know, this concept could align with your proposal, however, I suggest considering the intercultural fire management approach, as it provides a framework that is more contextualized to the Latin American reality and could offer a more suitable basis for the strategy presented in the manuscript.

We thank the reviewer for this insightful comment. We fully agree on the relevance of incorporating an intercultural approach to fire management, and have accordingly revised the corresponding passage to reflect this perspective, which is more appropriately aligned with the Latin American context. Additionally, we have replaced the term "harmonized" with "integrated," as the latter is conceptually more accurate within the framework of intercultural fire management. These adjustments aim to enhance the clarity and coherence of the strategy proposed in the manuscript.

L 251-253 How has the strong intervention of the United States Forest Service, particularly in Ecuador and Bolivia, influenced the shift from cultural fire management to a fire suppression-focused approach? And in what ways might this influence have extended to national laws and regulations, promoting legal frameworks that undermine ancestral knowledge and traditional fire management practices?

We thank the reviewer for this valuable comment. In response, we have incorporated information regarding the involvement of the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the Amazonía sin Fuego (PASF) program in Ecuador and Bolivia, highlighting the initial impact of their interventions, which contributed to the displacement of traditional and intercultural fire management practices due to a suppression-focused approach. However, we also emphasize that recent research indicates a shift in this context, showing a growing recognition of the value of ancestral knowledge and its integration into comprehensive fire management strategies. Accordingly, we have included relevant references to support this transition, such as the PASF-supported study on indigenous fire use by the Saraguro people in Ecuador, as well as examples of collaboration between the USFS and Indigenous communities in the United States.

L261-265 A citation is missing here.

We appreciate your comment. In response, we have incorporated the citation from Kanteler and Bakouros (2024), who underscore the importance of a comprehensive and collaborative approach to disaster management. This approach encompasses the mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery phases and involves multiple actors—including governments, first responders, humanitarian organizations, and specialized research centers—which is essential in cross-border risk contexts such as the geographical context of the Andean community. In particular, they emphasize that international coordination and adaptation to local circumstances are key to strengthening the effectiveness of emergency management, such as forest fires, whose nature does not stop at political borders.

L 289-290 I believe that less than a month ago, the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management in Colombia signed a decree on the importance of the use of technical fire. This same unit is proposing a vision for fire management.

Thank you for your comment. In response to your observation, we found that, with the support of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), the Congress of the Republic of Colombia is currently reviewing Bill No. 557 of 2025, which proposes a comprehensive approach to fire management. This initiative aims to move beyond the predominantly reactive model that has traditionally characterized the country's response to forest fires. Accordingly, we have incorporated this valuable information into the relevant lines of the manuscript. We appreciate your suggestion, as it has helped improve the clarity and strength of the text.

L 302-305 The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a tool for coordination and effectiveness in intercultural fire management should be cited with caution. While GIS can be valuable for spatial analysis and planning, in many countries its application has led to a reductionist interpretation of fire, assuming that all detected heat points correspond to wildfires. This has resulted in excessive regulation or unjustified surveillance of territories, particularly in Latin America. Therefore, it is essential to complement GIS-generated data with rigorous triangulation of field, historical, and social information to avoid simplistic diagnoses and to promote a more comprehensive and context-sensitive understanding of fire use, as some authors have proposed through the concept of “pyrobiocultural territories”.

We appreciate your insightful observation. In light of your comment, we have revised the manuscript to reflect a more critical and context-sensitive perspective on the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in fire management. While acknowledging the value of GIS for spatial coordination and planning, we now emphasize the importance of complementing this tool with rigorous field data, historical knowledge, and sociocultural perspectives. This addition addresses the risk of reductionist interpretations and aligns with the literature advocating for the concept of “pyrobiocultural territories” as a framework to understand fire use in intercultural settings. Your suggestion has been very helpful in strengthening the analytical depth of our argument.

L 325–328 While the proposal to move toward an Andean Framework Directive on fire management is relevant and valuable for strengthening regional cooperation, it is essential not to overlook the deep complexity of the Latin American context, which differs substantially from the European one in multiple dimensions social, cultural, ecological, and political.

This region not only presents institutional and regulatory heterogeneity among countries, but also a rich presence of Indigenous peoples. Ignoring this dimension in an attempt to replicate European normative models could lead to inappropriate or even counterproductive solutions. Therefore, any regional legal harmonization initiative must be grounded in the recognition and appreciation of this diversity and promote flexible and intercultural frameworks that incorporate local knowledge and practices as a fundamental part of public fire management policies. It is suggested to review the work of Rodríguez Iokiñe, Adriana Millán, and Jalamix Mistry.

Thank you for your insightful comment. We fully agree with your observation regarding the complexity of the Latin American context and the importance of avoiding the uncritical replication of European normative models. In response, we have revised the manuscript accordingly and have explicitly acknowledged the need for flexible and intercultural frameworks that incorporate Indigenous knowledge and practices as a core element of public fire management policies. Following your recommendation, we have also included the works of Rodríguez Iokiñe and Bilbao, which provide valuable conceptual foundations to support this perspective. We appreciate your guidance, which has significantly enriched the depth and contextual relevance of our proposal.

L 304 Perhaps in section 3.2, "as precedents" could be added, meaning... “Comparative Analysis of Public Policies as Precedents for Fire Management in the Andean Region”, as mentioned in line... 407-408 “…no country in the region has a comprehensive public fire management policy as is the case in other countries”

Thank you for your valuable comment. As part of previous revisions, we have already improved line 304 by clarifying the role of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) when combined with local knowledge to support the understanding and construction of pyrobiocultural landscapes. In response to your specific suggestion, we have also updated the title of section 3.2 to “Comparative Analysis of Public Policies as Precedents for Fire Management in the Andean Region.” This change better reflects the importance of this section and aligns it with the content highlighted in lines 407–408, where it is noted that “no country in the region has a comprehensive public fire management policy as is the case in other countries.” Your input has helped to improve the structure and analytical depth of this part of the manuscript.

L 308-370 Perhaps you could cite “Decolonizing wildfire...” by Rodriguez et al., 2023, to suggest that the vision of fire exclusion is part of a regulatory process.

Thank you very much for your thoughtful and pertinent suggestion. We fully agree that fire exclusion policies in Latin America are not neutral, but often reflect regulatory processes influenced by colonial legacies and Eurocentric imaginaries that tend to criminalize traditional fire practices. Based on your recommendation, we have included a citation to Rodríguez et al. (2023) in the section discussing national legislation (L 308–370), specifically after the paragraph highlighting the differences in national legal frameworks and suggesting the adoption of a more integrative approach such as Integrated Fire Management. This reference supports the need for a critical perspective on current regulatory trends and emphasizes the importance of intercultural and historically grounded approaches to fire governance in the Andean region.

L397-399 It should also be added that training in prescribed burns is being organized as part of the technical use of fire, along with the development of intercultural dialogues between the Unit and community leaders

Thank you for your valuable comment. We agree with your observation and have revised the corresponding sentence to better reflect the current efforts being made. Specifically, we now clarify that, within the technical use of fire, the UNGRD is organizing prescribed burning training in conjunction with intercultural dialogues involving community leaders. This adjustment highlights the importance of combining technical approaches with local participation to foster more inclusive and context-sensitive fire management practices.

To complement the information presented in section 3.3 and to give due relevance to topics such as prevention, suppression, cultural fire management, and fire ecology, it may be useful to review: Goldammer J, Pasiecznik N (eds.). Towards Fire-Smart Landscapes. Published as a book chapter in Tropical Forest Issues 61. Tropenbos International: Ede, the Netherlands.

We appreciate your valuable comment. We fully agree with the comment and, consequently, we have incorporated a new paragraph highlighting the importance of experiences such as intercultural fire management in Venezuela. In particular, it mentions how the mosaic burning practiced by the Pemón indigenous people contributes to the reduction of forest fire risk and the strengthening of ecological resilience. We believe that the inclusion of this approach significantly enriches the content and perspective of the manuscript.

Section 3.4. It is recommended to complement the analysis by emphasizing the need to contextualize the Andean region, avoiding regulations that treat the territory as homogeneous. On the contrary, it is essential to highlight the value of pyrobiocultural territories and ensure that contributions are made from an interdisciplinary perspective. Valuable proposals have already been developed in other regions of Latin America, and these should be reviewed to further strengthen the formulation of the six proposed points. In this regard, it is advisable to revisit the works of the previously mentioned authors.

Thank you for your valuable comment. We fully agree with the reviewer and have therefore emphasized the importance of implementing a regional agenda tailored to the Andean context, highlighting the heterogeneity of its territories. To address this, we have revised the corresponding section of the manuscript, incorporating innovative concepts such as pyrobiocultural territories, supported by the references suggested by the reviewer. As a result, the revised text is now more robust and well-supported.

Section 3.4. It is recommended to organize the information according to the three components of the fire management approach, and to apply the same structure to the diagram, as each component has its specific place. This would also make the diagram clearer, particularly in showing what actions should be taken from the perspectives of fire management policies, fire ecology, and cultural fire management.

Thank you for your valuable input. In response to your comment, we have improved the structure of Figure 4, now presenting the information in a clearer and more orderly manner around the three key components: ecological, socio-cultural and technical-institutional. Based on this new organization, we also rewrote Section 3.4, incorporating the reviewer's suggestions. This part of the manuscript now has greater conceptual support and contributes to fill the gap identified with respect to the inclusion of the ancestral and diverse knowledge that characterizes the communities and indigenous peoples of the Andes in fire management policies.

L 497-498  A citation should be included here  “Ignoring this ancestral knowledge not only represents a loss of cultural heritage but can also lead to ineffective or counterproductive fire management strategies”.

Thank you for your observation. We have incorporated the citation of Bilbao et al. (2019) in these lines, as their work provides an in-depth analysis of traditional fire knowledge, which effectively reinforces the content of lines 497–498. We are grateful to the reviewer for this valuable suggestion, which contributes to strengthening the theoretical foundation of this section.

L499-503 Please include valid references, as this one is not appropriate

Thank you for your comment, we accept the reviewer's observation therefore we have included the quote from Rodriguez & Inturias, (2018) which corroborates on conflict transformation in indigenous peoples territories, doing environmental justice with a ‘decolonial turn’. This quote gives further sustenance to the lines indicated.

L507-509 Rather than focusing solely on education and training for wildfire suppression, priority should be given to revitalizing community-based forms of organization, allowing institutions to integrate into and strengthen the processes already in place within communities rather than the other way around. Experience has shown that top-down approaches have rarely been effective or sustainable. Review: Goldammer J, Pasiecznik N (eds.). Towards Fire-Smart Landscapes. 

We thank the reviewer for his valuable appreciation. In response to his suggestion, we have reworded the corresponding lines to highlight the importance of including indigenous peoples and local communities in fire management, recognizing that they often possess essential knowledge and practical experience of effective fire management in their respective ecosystems. To reinforce this argument, we have incorporated the analysis developed by Pasiecznik and Goldammer (2022).

L539-543 To what extent can the “Amazonía sin Fuego” program truly be considered aligned with the principles of Integrated Fire Management (IFM), or is its approach, at its core, focused on fire suppression and the delegitimization of the cultural use of fire by Indigenous communities?

We sincerely thank the reviewer for this insightful and highly relevant observation. Indeed, the Amazonía sin Fuego Program (PASF) has been presented in some contexts within the countries analyzed as a strategy aligned with the principles of Integrated Fire Management (IFM). However, we recognize that this characterization requires a more nuanced and precise analysis.

To address this point, we reviewed the work of Bustos, Escandón, and Segura (2019), “Incorporating Integrated Fire Management into Watershed Management in the Metropolitan District of Quito, Ecuador: A Drop-by-Drop Process,” published in Biodiversidade Brasileira, 9(1), 108. This review revealed that while the PASF does incorporate certain elements consistent with IFM—such as community awareness, environmental education, and the promotion of sustainable land-use practices—it also places considerable emphasis on suppression measures. It remains unclear to what extent the program genuinely acknowledges and integrates the cultural and ancestral use of fire by Indigenous communities.

In response to this valuable suggestion, we revised and reformulated the relevant section of the manuscript to reflect this debate. We have now included a critical reflection on the limitations of the PASF approach and the need to move toward truly intercultural policies that recognize and value traditional fire knowledge.

We are deeply grateful to the reviewer for this contribution, which has significantly enriched the manuscript and strengthened our argument regarding the urgent need for a Regional Andean Agenda that aligns IFM principles with a more inclusive and culturally grounded perspective.

L523-528 Any initiative aimed at establishing a regional regulatory framework for fire management must begin with the full recognition of the ways of life of Indigenous peoples and local communities. These peoples have their own forms of community organization, through which they establish rules, agreements, and internal cultural fire management mechanisms based on their customs and traditions. Therefore, any attempt to harmonize or regulate fire management at the regional level must be built with the direct participation of these communities, recognizing their legitimacy as political actors and guardians of their territories. Regulation cannot be uniform or centralized, it must be flexible, intercultural, and respectful of the diverse local realities. I suggest reviewing the works of 1) Contreras, M. E. G., Cabello, A. S., & García, A. S., 2) Inturias, M., & Fernandez, I. R., 3) Iokiñe Rodríguez & Mirna Liz Inturias.

How do the authors propose to develop a proposal for the entire Andean region, considering the complexity of the existing legal frameworks in each country, which include regulations at the national, departmental, provincial, municipal, and community levels?

We deeply appreciate this observation, as it raises a key issue in the design of a Regional Andean Agenda for Integrated Fire Management (IFM). We fully agree with the reviewer that it is not feasible to develop a uniform regional framework without first recognizing the complexity of the existing multilevel legal systems in the region—national, departmental/provincial, municipal, and community levels—as well as the political and normative legitimacy of Indigenous peoples and local communities.

Indeed, the development of a regional proposal must begin with the recognition of legal pluralism, as explored by authors such as Rodríguez and Inturias (2018), who highlight the need to build bridges between state law and Indigenous normative systems. In the same vein, Contreras et al. and other authors suggested by the reviewer have demonstrated that any form of "legal harmonization" must be constructed through genuinely participatory and intercultural processes, grounded in the dialogue of knowledge systems.

As a result, we have adjusted the focus of our proposal for the ARAMIF, reaffirming that it does not aim to impose a centralized or homogeneous regulation, but rather to establish flexible guiding principles that serve as a common framework for articulating local and regional realities—without erasing normative diversity or preexisting institutional arrangements.

In the manuscript, we had already emphasized that regulation should be "flexible, intercultural, and respectful of diverse local realities." In light of the reviewer’s valuable comment, we have added a new paragraph to reinforce this section, explicitly stating that ARAMIF is conceived as a multilevel articulation tool, grounded in the direct participation of Indigenous and local communities and in the collective construction of agreements from the territory. We wrote it as follows:

"However, any initiative aimed at establishing a regional regulatory framework for fire management must start with full recognition of the legal pluralism existing in the Andean region. This implies not only considering national, departmental, provincial and municipal legal frameworks, but also valuing the own normative systems of indigenous peoples and local communities, who have legitimate forms of organization, community agreements and cultural mechanisms for the use and control of fire, based on their customs and territories (Rodríguez & Inturias, 2018; Contreras, Cabello & García, 2018). Therefore, the Andean Regional Agenda for Integrated Fire Management (ARAMIF) should not be conceived as a homogeneous or centralized normative structure, but as a guiding, flexible and intercultural framework, capable of articulating the different existing institutional and normative levels, and of fostering participatory governance processes from the territory (Rodríguez & Inturias, 2020; Inturias & Fernández, 2021). This proposal is based on respect for the self-determination of people, on the dialogue of knowledge and on the construction of agreements that recognize communities as political actors and guardians of their landscapes."

This comment has been fundamental in strengthening the theoretical foundation of our proposal’s intercultural, decentralized, and adaptable nature, which precisely seeks to avoid the delegitimization of community normative systems and to position local communities as key political and regulatory actors in fire management.

Are the 113 citations necessary?

We thank them for their comments. We believe that the 113 citations included, as well as others that we have incorporated based on the valuable suggestions of the reviewers, are necessary to adequately support the arguments presented throughout the study. These references strengthen the conceptual framework, contextualize the proposal in the specialized literature and demonstrate the diversity of approaches and relevant experiences in the Andean region.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript is very well written and supported by other previous related research and comparatively embedded in globally relevant situation in other regions. The methodology, the analysis and discussion are clearly presented. The analysis leads to the proposal of better integrated regional fire management, taking into account a broad relevant elements which makes a solid, quality and sustainable ground for fire management. The approach is original, taking into account important factors such as indigenous knowledge and practices, cultural diversity and socio-cultural status.

There is one minor suggestion - related to the term "Wildland urban interface"(WUI) which is broadly used for the areas of periurban fringes. I suggest to add it in the line 527: e.g. ....(wildland urban interface fires - WUI),........instead of "interface fires".

Second - the conclusion. Conclusion in a presented form is not necessary, it is in fact a repetition of the same sentences used previously in the text and in the abstract. This is not the purpose of the conclusion. The conclusion should give some added value at the end , the take-home message.

Author Response

We sincerely appreciate your valuable comments and observations on the manuscript. In response, we have addressed each of your concerns and marked the modifications in green to facilitate your review. Additionally, all changes made are noted with the change control feature enabled in the Word document.

 

Reviewer 4

The manuscript is very well written and supported by other previous related research and comparatively embedded in globally relevant situation in other regions. The methodology, the analysis and discussion are clearly presented. The analysis leads to the proposal of better integrated regional fire management, taking into account a broad relevant elements which makes a solid, quality and sustainable ground for fire management. The approach is original, taking into account important factors such as indigenous knowledge and practices, cultural diversity and socio-cultural status.

There is one minor suggestion - related to the term "Wildland urban interface"(WUI) which is broadly used for the areas of periurban fringes. I suggest to add it in the line 527: e.g. ....(wildland urban interface fires - WUI),........instead of "interface fires".

Thank you for your comment. We have corrected the term “Wildland-Urban Interface” (WUI), which is used consistently in the corresponding line of the manuscript, ensuring correct wording and consistency with specialized terminology.

Second - the conclusion. Conclusion in a presented form is not necessary, it is in fact a repetition of the same sentences used previously in the text and in the abstract. This is not the purpose of the conclusion. The conclusion should give some added value at the end , the take-home message.

Thank you for your comment. We have improved the presentation of the conclusion taking into account your comment, as well as the suggestions of the other reviewers. We appreciate your valuable input, which has contributed significantly to strengthening the content of our study.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

After a thorough evaluation of the revised manuscript, I confirm that the authors have satisfactorily addressed all recommendations and concerns raised during the review process; the work now fulfills the journal’s methodological, scientific, and editorial standards, and I consider it ready for publication without further revision.

Author Response

Dear Editor,

We sincerely appreciate your valuable comments and observations on our manuscript during this second round of review. In response, we have carefully addressed each of the concerns raised by reviewer 2.

To facilitate your review, all modifications have been marked in the manuscript using the Track Changes feature in Microsoft Word.

Kind regards,

 

Reviewer 2

 

After a thorough evaluation of the revised manuscript, I confirm that the authors have satisfactorily addressed all recommendations and concerns raised during the review process; the work now fulfills the journal’s methodological, scientific, and editorial standards, and I consider it ready for publication without further revision.

 

We sincerely thank the reviewer for his valuable comments and contributions, which have contributed significantly to improving the quality of our manuscript. We reiterate that his evaluation was constructive and enriching for the development of the work.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I would like to sincerely congratulate you on the excellent revision work carried out. The improvements incorporated have substantially enriched the manuscript, both in depth and clarity. I am confident that this work will be a valuable contribution not only to Latin America but also to other regions interested in the topic. Your effort and commitment to academic quality are evident and truly commendable.

Line 58 states: “…as illustrated in some cases from Central and South America.” It should say: “…North and South America.” Mexico is not part of Central America.

Lines 168–171 require a citation.

Lines 783–786 are missing a citation.

Excellent analysis in section 3.3.

Author Response

Dear Editor,

We sincerely appreciate your valuable comments and observations on our manuscript during this second round of review. In response, we have carefully addressed each of the concerns raised by reviewer 3.

To facilitate your review, all modifications have been marked in the manuscript using the Track Changes feature in Microsoft Word.

Kind regards,

 

Reviewer 3

 

I would like to sincerely congratulate you on the excellent revision work carried out. The improvements incorporated have substantially enriched the manuscript, both in depth and clarity. I am confident that this work will be a valuable contribution not only to Latin America but also to other regions interested in the topic. Your effort and commitment to academic quality are evident and truly commendable.

We sincerely thank the reviewer for his generous words, which motivate us to continue working in this valuable field of scientific research. We recognize that the improvements in the content and clarity of the manuscript would not have been possible without his contributions and observations. We reiterate our deep appreciation for their dedication and commitment to academic quality.

Line 58 states: “…as illustrated in some cases from Central and South America.” It should say: “…North and South America.” Mexico is not part of Central America.

Thank you for your comment. We have made the corresponding adjustment considering your comment. The change can be viewed on line 55 of the document with change control enabled.

Lines 168–171 require a citation.

Thank you for your comment, we have included the quote from "Mistry, J., Schmidt, I. B., Eloy, L., & Bilbao, B. (2019). New perspectives on fire management in South American savannas: The importance of cross-cultural governance. Ambio, 48, 172-179." that you back up the claim with a recognized and accessible source.

Lines 783–786 are missing a citation.

Thank you for your comment, we have included the quote from "Pierotti, R., & Wildcat, D. (2000). Traditional ecological knowledge: the third alternative (commentary). Ecological applications, 10(5), 1333-1340." that you back up the claim with a recognized and accessible source.

 

Excellent analysis in section 3.3.

We sincerely thank the reviewer for the positive feedback. We are pleased to know that the analysis presented in section 3.3 was well received, and it encourages us to continue strengthening our academic work.

 

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx