Brazil Experiences Record Wildfires, Burning Area Larger Than Italy in 2024

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Brazil faced a devastating environmental crisis in 2024, with wildfires consuming over 30 million hectares of wilderness, an area larger than Italy. This alarming statistic, reported by Fire Monitor and highlighted by MapBiomas, indicates a 79% increase in burned area compared to 2023. The Amazon rainforest was the most severely affected, with 58% of the total burned area occurring in this vital biome.

The surge in wildfires has been attributed to the country's worst drought on record, exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon. Ane Alencar, coordinator of MapBiomas, expressed concern that the fires have inflicted lasting damage on forest areas, which are typically slower to recover compared to grasslands and pastures. The drought, combined with human activities such as agricultural burning and possible criminal arson, has created a critical situation.

In response to rising fire incidents, Brazilian federal police initiated 119 investigations into suspected arson in 2024, a substantial increase from previous years. As Brazil prepares to host the COP30 climate conference in Belém later this year, these statistics pose significant challenges to the nation's environmental credibility.

Experts warn that without robust rainy seasons to replenish affected areas, 2025 could see continued fire outbreaks. Alencar emphasized that addressing forest conservation requires a comprehensive approach to combat both deforestation and climate change.

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