1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites

From the ashes – fighting fire with indigenous knowledge

42:34

This browser does not support the video element.

November 7, 2025

Around the world, extreme fires have been on the rise since the turn of the millennium. In 2023 alone, 26 million hectares of forest were burned. Scientists and indigenous communities are both searching for ways to stop the destruction.

In many parts of the world, fires were once a natural phenomenon. Periodic fires rejuvenated forests, made plains fertile, and helped biodiversity to flourish. Today, however, extreme fires are becoming rapidly more prevalent - killing both humans and animals and destroying nature on an unprecedented scale. This documentary follows the collaboration between scientists and indigenous guardians who are fighting to protect forests and other ecosystems. It explores the benefits of traditional farming techniques, exposes prejudice and corruption, and highlights the deep-rooted knowledge that indigenous communities have when it comes to protecting our planet. Their stories can inspire us to see the natural world not as a resource, but as the very foundation of life.

For more like this, follow this link

Skip next section About the show

About the show

DocFilm

Exciting stories, a wide variety of topics, fascinating pictures: every day, half or three-quarters of an hour of carefully researched background reports from the worlds of politics, business, science, culture, nature, history, lifestyle and sport.

Skip next section DW's Top Story

DW's Top Story

Skip next section More stories from DW