The National Institute for Space Research (INPE) reported that during the first eight months of 2024, fires in the Brazilian Amazon doubled compared to those recorded in 2023, marking a new record in almost two decades.
According to satellite data, 37,835 fires were recorded between January 1 and August 13. The figures show an increase of 111 percent compared to the previous year.
Since 1998, when INPE began collecting this data, it has been noted that the largest tropical rainforest in the world suffered similar events in the same period in 2005, 2004 and 2003.
This situation has caused concern among the inhabitants of Manaus, capital of the Amazonas state. In light of the emergency, the research institute Fiocruz Amazonia has indicated that the population should use masks with special filters, especially those with respiratory comorbidities.
“What is most worrying this year compared to previous years is that it is not known for sure whether what is happening is an anticipation of the critical period or whether, this year, we will have a longer period of exposure to toxic smoke, since the peak of pollution in 2023 was in October,” said epidemiologist Jesem Orellana.
In addition to suffering from the fires, the region is also facing a drought that could be more severe than the historic one in 2023. In addition, the Pantanal, the largest tropical wetland in the world, south of the Amazon, is also suffering the consequences of the fires.
Experts link these extreme events to climate change, highlighting the importance of the Amazon and the Pantanal as key ecosystems for global biodiversity and the regulation of carbon and global temperatures.
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2024-08-19 10:13:01