Brazil Faces ‘Catastrophic’ Wildfires Amid Worst Drought in 40 Years

Brazil is currently battling a series of record-breaking wildfires that are endangering key ecological systems and ravaging several regions of the Amazon, Cerrado, and Pantanal regions. The country is experiencing its worst drought in seven decades, and authorities report it has contributed to the staggering 57,312 wildfires this month, which has already exceeded the total for September 2023 in its entirety, according to satellite data from the INPE research institute.

These fires have caused significant damage to Brazil’s key crops, such as sugarcane, arabica coffee, oranges, and soybeans. “The soil lacks water. It is the worst water deficit in 40 years,” said Jose Marcos Magalhaes, president of Minasul, a major coffee cooperative.

 

 

Residents in nearby towns are choking on the smoke, with densely populated cities like Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro at risk of fires approaching their limits, officials warn. About 60% of all wildfires in Latin America are happening in Brazil, according to officials.

Experts say a significant factor in the fires is human activity, with about a third caused by land clearing for agriculture. Deforestation and severe drought are exacerbating the situation. Rachael Garrett, a professor of conservation and development at the University of Cambridge, highlighted the role of these factors, stating, “Deforestation and drought are contributing heavily to the wildfires.”

 

 

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva noted that the Amazon is facing the worst drought in 40 years. “We’ve had severe droughts before in Brazil, but not to this extent… We are facing a gigantic drought … and a drought that has come combined with fire,” Lula said. He has urged the public to report suspected arsonists to federal police and has vowed to change the existing laws, which currently impose a maximum prison sentence of four years for such crimes. 

The Amazon’s degradation is not only affecting Brazil but also neighbouring countries. Bolivia and Ecuador have experienced flight cancellations, evacuations, and school closures due to smoke.

Experts warn that further degradation of the Amazon would be “catastrophic” for the region’s already delicate ecosystems.