AFoCO has been conducting the Training of Trainers on Forest Fire Suppression (TOTFFS) annually to strengthen the forest fire response capacity of Member Countries. For the first time, the training was held in Central Asia’s dry mountainous region, hosted at Kolsai Kolderi National Park in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Participants came from Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, and Tajikistan.
The program featured both French and Korean experts, offering a unique blend of scientific analysis and field-based tactical knowledge. This program focused on translating classroom lectures and simulation exercises into practical strategies for fire suppression.
Unpacking Fire Behavior: Science in the Classroom
The training began with lectures from French experts on Fire Behavior Analysis, centered on the Fire Behavior Triangle, the interactions of Fuel, Weather, and Topography. Participants learned how steep slopes accelerate fire spread, how low-humidity increases ignition probability, and how these factors combine to drive forest fire intensity and direction.
Fires were categorized into topography-driven, wind-driven, and convective-driven types, each requiring different suppression strategies. The lectures highlighted the Campbell Prediction System (CPS), which predicts rapid fire spread when wind, slope, and solar radiation align, and the Fire Weather Index (FWI), which quantifies fire danger levels based on meteorological and fuel conditions. These tools gave participants a framework for predictive, data-based decision-making rather than relying solely on field intuition.
Korea Forest Service (KFS) experts then presented a practical perspective grounded in real-world operations. They introduced Korea’s nationwide forest fire response framework, spanning prevention, prediction, suppression, and recovery, with emphasis on the operational role of Helitack teams of KFS using helicopters equipped with high pressure pumps and hoses in mountainous terrain. They also highlighted the importance of personal protective gear and effective fireline construction.
Case studies of large-scale forest fires in Korea illustrated how topography, weather, and fuel conditions shaped the fires’ spread and the tactical responses required. Importantly, the sessions introduced drone technology as a modern asset in Korea’s forest fire response. Participants learned about drone flight operations, interpretation of aerial imagery, and the integration of drone intelligence into suppression planning,
The training also benefited from the participation of an expert from the Korea Forest Fire Management Service Association, who contributed specialized knowledge to the program. The expert delivered a lecture on fire investigation and analysis, focusing on how to identify ignition points and scientifically determine the direct causes of wildfires after an outbreak. Drawing on multiple case studies of large-scale forest fires in Korea, the expert introduced systematic investigation methods and shared real-world experiences. This not only provided participants with practical insights but also encouraged active engagement and discussion throughout the sessions.
By combining scientific modeling from France with Korea tactical expertise and technological innovation, the lectures gave participants a comprehensive foundation that merged theory, field-tested tactics, and advanced tools for forest fire suppression.
Turning Theory into Action: Sand Table Simulations
Following the lectures, participants engaged in the Sand Table Exercise, using sand to recreate mountainous terrain and simulate forest fire spread under different wind and solar conditions. Each teams mapped potential fire paths and designed firebreaks and evacuation routes, practicing tactical decision making in a safe, controlled environment.
Trainers reviewed and discussed strategies, helping participants connect theory to practical scenarios. As one of the main training modules of TOTFFS, the sandbox exercise consistently receives the highest satisfaction ratings from participants. It develops strategic thinking, teamwork, and command skills, while also allowing room for experimentation and comparison of different tactics without risk.
Facing the Flames: Cross Fire Live Exercise
The training also included the Cross Fire Exercise, which brought participants face-to-face with live flames in a controlled environment. At the training ground, participants constructed 5m × 5m miniature mountain terrains using sand and hay. Using drip torches, they ignited multiple points, observing how fire spread changed depending on the shape of the terrain and the strength and direction of the wind.
Beyond observation, teams were tasked with protecting designated areas and applying suppression tactics. Some used backpack pumps to spray water directly on the flames, while others worked on constructing firelines and containment measures. This allowed participants to apply classroom knowledge to a live fire scenario, experiencing how quickly fire can shift and how tactical choices must adapt in real time.
The Cross Fire exercise proved to be one of the most immersive and impactful modules of the program, bridging theory, simulation, and live practice. Participants gained critical insights into fire behavior and strengthened their confidence in making rapid, coordinated suppression decisions under realistic conditions
Looking Ahead: Field-Based Training in the Dryland Mountains
Through lectures, sand table simulations, and live Cross Fire drills, participants gained both the scientific understanding of forest fire dynamics and the practical skills to manage them. They trained not only in analytical tools and suppression tactics but also in teamwork, safety, and the integration of new technologies such as drones.
Building on these foundations, participants are now prepared to advance into field-based exercises in the mountainous landscapes of Dryland. The upcoming modules will involve prescribed burning and firebreak construction, giving them the opportunity to apply their training against real fire conditions.
By combining science, simulation, and field application, the Kazakhstan TOTFFS marks a significant step in AFoCO’s mission to enhance forest fire preparedness and strengthen cooperative capacity across Asia.
at Kolsai Kolderi National Park in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Submitted by Kiwon Kim, Program Officer, Capacity-Building and Evaluation Team