Effectiveness of Firewise Approach (FWA) in Controlling Forest Fire: A Case of Uluguru Nature Forest Reserve (UNFR), Morogoro, Tanzania

Forest fire has received considerable attention in literature because it is considered one of the most common factors causing disturbances in ecosystems and at the same time considered vital in maintaining ecosystems. Firewise Approach (FWA) has been proposed and used for controlling forest fire and achieving sustainable forest management. The approach requires involvement of communities in managing forest fire incidences in reserved forests. Despite considerable period since FWA has been practiced, there is insufficient scholarly knowledge on effectiveness of the approach in managing forest fire. This paper examines the effectiveness of FWA in managing forest fires in Uluguru Nature Forest Reserve (UNFR). The study employed cross-section research design that involved quantitative and qualitative data collection. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software and content analysis. The study found alternating periods: the period of overall decrease of wildfire incidences within initial five years of practising the approach. The study concludes that the FWA is useful in reducing forest fire incidences during early period of practising the approach and another period of huge fire occurrence beyond five years. However, the FWA has challenges of sustaining successes in controlling forest fires including limited fire management training to common community. The study recommends sustaining communities’ trainings on forest fire management.