By developing a conceptual framework that integrates the use of fire in agricultural activities, the occurrence of wildfires, and the perception of wildfire risk, this article examines the interplay among these three elements within both wet and dry Puna grasslands. The analysis focuses on two peasant and agropastoral communities, Vilcabamba and Apachaco, both located in the Cusco region—an area with the highest incidence of wildfires in Peru. This study highlights the sociocultural significance and persistence of agricultural burnings within Puna agropastoral communities and the necessity of considering changes in agricultural activity, mutual aid systems, and communal institutions—particularly regarding land ownership—to understand the factors contributing to wildfire occurrence. Furthermore, it reveals the widespread recognition of wildfire risk among community members, who are acutely aware of both the likelihood and potential severity of wildfire events, while governmental policies aimed at addressing this hazard predominantly focus on raising awareness and enforcing bans on agricultural burning, with limited consideration of these complex sociocultural dynamics.

Hybridization of ‘green’ and engineered infrastructure, informed by protecting or restoring catchment processes, can resolve interconnected demands on catchment ecosystems, potentially also reversing historic degradation of socio-ecological systems. Pressures are acute in water-scarce, developing regions with episodic rainfall, exacerbated by historic presumptions favouring engineered management. Comparing conditions, histories and emerging approaches in contrasting regions – the Central Plateau of Burkina Faso, Rajasthan State (India) and Ayacucho Region (Peru) – reveals similar yet distinct approaches reflecting different starting regimes. Transferrable learning about hybridizing localized, nature-based solutions and engineered technology informs the necessary transition towards a sustainable approach in these and other regions.

By designing a conceptual framework that intertwines the use of fire in agricultural activities, the occurrence of wildfires, and the perception of wildfire risk, this article analyses the relationship between these three elements in both wet and dry Puna grasslands. It focuses on two peasant and agropastoral communities, Vilcabamba and Apachaco, both located in Cusco, the region with the highest number of wildfires in Peru. This study highlights the sociocultural significance and persistence of agricultural burnings in Puna agropastoral communities; the necessity of considering changes in agricultural activity, mutual aid systems, and communal institutions—especially concerning land ownership—to explain the occurrence of wildfires; and the widespread perception of wildfire risk among community members, who are aware of the likelihood and severity of wildfire events, while government policies to address this hazard focus primarily on raising awareness and prohibiting burnings.