Mongolia is strengthening its fire ranger corps by integrating traditional horseback fire management techniques with modern technology. This approach aims to combat the increasing frequency and intensity of fires on the Eurasian steppe, which have been exacerbated by the human-driven climate crisis.
Fire has long been a part of life on the steppe, but rising temperatures and severe droughts have worsened the hazard. Over the last 80 years, the Eurasian grasslands have experienced a 2C temperature rise. Historical data shows a significant increase in scorched land, with over 30 million hectares consumed by fire between 1996 and 1999, following an average of 1.74 million hectares annually from 1981 to 1995.
According to a recent study, approximately 95% of steppe and forest fires in Mongolia are caused by human activity, often from careless burning or discarded items. Erdenesuvd Bayaraa, a cultural heritage expert, suggests that solutions lie in remembering ancestral methods of living with fire, which involved horseback rangers digging trenches and using animal fat to control blazes.
In 2024, the Mongolian government, supported by initiatives like Preserving Legacies, began to strengthen its fire ranger corps. This includes using satellite detection, advanced weather modelling, and Starlink services for communication. Mongolia also launched a project with the UN Development Programme and the China International Development Cooperation Agency, delivering $350,000 worth of firefighting equipment and expanding training.