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Brazil’s wildfire crisis worsens amid extreme drought

September 20, 2024

Wildfires devastate Brazil’s forests and farmland

The latest wildfire crisis in Brazil has led to the destruction of millions of hectares of forest and farmland across various regions, from the Amazon rainforest to the Pantanal wetlands.

The fires have caused two-thirds of the country to be covered in smoke.

According to reports from the Buenos Aires Times, much of this devastation is linked to ongoing extreme drought conditions.

Environment minister Marina Silva has described the situation as “a demonstration of the gravity of climate change,” adding that many of the fires were set intentionally by “criminals.”

Data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) show that as of mid-September 2024, 188,623 fires have been detected this year, approaching last year’s total of 189,926.

September has been particularly destructive, with 61,572 fires recorded in just 17 days, exceeding the 46,498 fires seen in all of September 2023.

The increase in fires has spread across multiple regions, complicating efforts to control the blazes.

Causes of the fires

A prolonged drought, exacerbated by climate change and the El Niño weather pattern, has created ideal conditions for wildfires.

According to Suely Araújo, public policy coordinator at Brazil’s Climate Observatory, the little rainfall that did occur since June 2023 was far below expectations, leaving dry conditions that can easily ignite fires.

Most of the fires have been set intentionally, according to Ane Alencar, scientific director of the Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM).

Farmers often set fires to clear land, although the practice is currently banned.

However, this ban is widely ignored.

The agro-industry sector has also been implicated in starting fires to clear public forests for farming, further contributing to the crisis.

Federal police chief Humberto Freire noted that some arsonists are deliberately setting fires for no clear reason other than to “sow chaos.”

The outlook for Brazil’s wildfire crisis

Experts have expressed concerns about the fires continuing for weeks, given Brazil’s ongoing drought.

INPE researcher Karla Longo noted that unless those starting the fires are stopped, the blazes will persist until the arrival of rain.

However, the rainy season, which typically begins in the latter half of October, may be delayed due to extremely dry conditions and low atmospheric humidity, according to Ricardo de Camargo, a meteorology professor at the University of Sao Paulo.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has acknowledged that the country is “not 100 percent prepared” for this year’s fires.

On Tuesday, he announced the release of $94 million to support fire response efforts.

However, there are calls for more comprehensive action.

Suely Araújo stated that Brazil’s response would benefit from better coordination between national and state governments and ministries.

Federal police chief Humberto Freire has also called for tougher penalties for environmental crimes.

Government actions to address the crisis

Brazil’s government has pledged to combat climate change and illegal deforestation.

Lula has reaffirmed his goal to stop illegal deforestation of the Amazon by 2030, although the current situation highlights the challenges of achieving this target.

The $94 million allocated for fire response marks a step in the right direction, but experts like Araújo argue that more needs to be done to strengthen inter-governmental collaboration.

There have also been calls for stricter enforcement of environmental laws.

Freire’s proposal for tougher penalties aims to deter arsonists and those responsible for starting illegal fires.

The Brazilian government is under pressure to balance immediate firefighting needs with long-term environmental policies that address the root causes of deforestation and climate change.

Brazil’s wildfire crisis worsens amid extreme drought: Summary

Brazil is facing one of its worst wildfire seasons in recent years, with over 188,000 fires reported in 2024.

The situation has been exacerbated by a prolonged drought, with fires intentionally set by farmers and arsonists contributing to the destruction of vast areas of forest and farmland.

The fires are concentrated in multiple regions, including the Amazon rainforest, complicating efforts to control them.

As experts warn that the fires could continue until rain arrives in late October, President Lula has pledged $94 million in response.

However, calls for stronger enforcement of environmental laws and improved coordination between national and state authorities continue.

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