Tatiana Cesso
Brazil is currently facing a severe environmental crisis as historic levels of wildfires and droughts ravage the Amazon and Pantanal regions. Over the past two months, these fires have reached unprecedented levels, marking some of the worst environmental disasters in the country’s history.
As the country struggles to contain the situation, international attention and support are crucial to address the long-term environmental impacts. The Amazon, often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth,” and the Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland, are critical to the planet’s future, and their protection should be a global priority.
According to the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), more than 80% of the wildfires in Brazil within the past 24 hours occurred in states located in the Amazon region, specifically in Acre, Amazonas, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Pará, and Rondônia. These fires are largely concentrated in areas critical to the country’s ecological and cultural heritage.
Record-Breaking Wildfires in Amazonas and Acre
The state of Amazonas has been hit particularly hard, with INPE reporting 6,054 fires in September alone, and a staggering 21,289 fires since the beginning of 2023. This number has already surpassed the previous record of 21,217 fires set in 2022. Acre has also suffered extensively, with over 3,000 fire outbreaks since the start of September.
In response, the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Acre has filed a civil lawsuit demanding urgent action from the state to mitigate the situation. The proposed measures include:
- A five-day task force to combat wildfires,
- An immediate ban on the use of fire in agriculture,
- Emergency equipment for firefighting teams,
- Immediate hiring of firefighters,
- Environmental embargoes and investigations into illegally deforested properties.
Mato Grosso: A Battleground for Fires and Indigenous Lands
Mato Grosso, home to the Amazon, Cerrado, and Pantanal biomes, has also experienced critical fire outbreaks. Firefighters in the state were battling over 50 fires on a single day this past Sunday (September 22). These fires have spread across multiple Indigenous lands, posing a direct threat to the communities and ecosystems.
Severe Droughts Affecting River Levels
In addition to the fires, Brazil is grappling with severe droughts. Rivers in both the Pantanal and Amazon regions have reached alarmingly low levels. For example, the Paraguay River near Cáceres, in Mato Grosso, is currently at a depth of just 35 centimeters, the lowest in two years. Normally, the water level in this area at this time of year would be 1.54 meters, according to the Brazilian Navy’s Western Hydrology and Navigation Center.
The situation is equally dire in other parts of the Amazon. The Rio Negro in Manaus dropped to a depth of 14.5 meters on Monday (September 23), indicating severe drought conditions. Similarly, the Solimões River in Manacapuru has fallen to 4.29 meters, the lowest level on record.
Rising Trends in Drought and Fire
The INPE data show a worrying trend: the average number of consecutive dry days in Brazil has steadily increased over the last few decades. In the 1990s, regions experienced around 80 to 85 consecutive dry days. This number has risen to approximately 100 days in recent years, particularly in areas such as the northern Northeast and central parts of the country. This prolonged drought exacerbates the risk of wildfires and makes it harder for ecosystems to recover.
Experts are calling for immediate action to address these devastating fires and droughts. Artur Matos, coordinator of the Brazilian Geological Survey’s Hydrological Alert System, noted that many key rivers in the Amazon and Pantanal are experiencing historically low water levels. The Rio Acre, for instance, has already reached its lowest point on record in Rio Branco, the state capital of Acre.
International Attention Urgently Needed
The ongoing environmental crisis in Brazil demands urgent international attention. The Amazon and Pantanal are crucial not only for the biodiversity they house but also for their role in regulating the global climate. The fires and droughts currently ravaging these areas threaten to accelerate deforestation, increase carbon emissions, and disrupt water cycles that have global ramifications.
As the situation escalates, local authorities are scrambling to implement emergency measures, but the scale of the disaster is overwhelming. The world will be watching closely as Brazil navigates this environmental crisis, which may have lasting consequences for the planet’s ecological balance.
Source: Agência Brasil
