Abstract

In 1997–1998 an estimated eight million hectares of forest and land went up in flames and caused a haze crisis that darkened skies across the region for three months. Local, national and international stakeholders were moved to improve fire management capacity; but their visions, strategies and ability to maneuver diverged markedly. This dissertation is based on applied research carried out in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia between November 1997 and May 1999. It sought to identify the factors that influenced responses to the fire and haze crisis and to understand what led a group of university faculty and students to independently initiate local fire brigades. Perhaps more importantly, this dissertation asks why they did not succeed. Building on developments in political ecology, institutional analysis and disaster management, this dissertation argues that marginalized stakeholders leveraged opportunities created by the fire crisis to further broader agendas and mitigate non-fire related risks but that the planning process failed to recognize how other risks to personal, community, and organizational and national security influence participation in the initiative. The sustainability of fire management, like disaster management and most environmental management initiatives relies on recognition of shared risks and a commitment to identifying mutually agreeable solutions. The true challenge to institutionalizing fire management is building commitment among a broad range of organizations at local national and international levels. Navigating the diverse perceptions of risk and approaches to problem solving should be a part of the planning process.