El manejo del fuego en Calakmul, Campeche: incendios forestales, gobernanza y variabilidad local de la precipitación

A good agricultural burn is characterized by a complete combustion of biomass and the contained propagation of fire. This article documents the local knowledge and practices of agricultural fire management in Calakmul, Campeche, and analyzes the extent to which farmers adjust their practices according to environmental conditions, particularly to variations in the precipitation pattern, critical for a good burn. The comparison of practices and meteorological registers suggests the complex understanding of farmers about the weather. Moreover, it allows the identification of the adjustments of fire management practices in dry and wet years. Finally, the paper emphasizes on the relevance of considering climate variability in the design of institutions that best fit the local conditions which are the key for fire management.