Brasilia.-Fires are raging across South America, from the Brazilian Amazon rainforest to the dry forests of Bolivia and across the world’s largest wetlands, breaking the record for the most fires recorded in a year as of September 11.
Satellite data analysed by Brazil’s space research agency Inpe has recorded 346,112 fire outbreaks so far this year in South America, surpassing the 2007 record of 345,322 in a data set dating back to 1998.
This week, a Reuters photographer travelling through the heart of the Brazilian Amazon witnessed huge fires burning vegetation along roads.
Smoke from the Brazilian wildfires has darkened skies over cities like Sao Paulo, fueling a wildfire smoke corridor seen from space that stretches diagonally across the continent from Colombia to Uruguay.
Brazil and Bolivia have sent thousands of firefighters to try to control the flames, but most remain at the mercy of the extreme weather conditions that are fuelling the blazes.
Scientists say that while most fires are man-made, recent hot and dry conditions caused by climate change are helping fires spread more quickly. South America has been hit by a series of heatwaves since last year.
“We have never had winter,” said Karla Longo, an air quality researcher at Inpe, about the weather in São Paulo in recent months. “It’s absurd.”
Despite it still being winter in the southern hemisphere, high temperatures in Sao Paulo have remained above 32 degrees Celsius since Saturday.
Hundreds of people demonstrated in La Paz to demand measures against the fires, carrying banners and signs that read “Bolivia in flames” and “For cleaner air, stop burning.”
“Please realize what is happening in the country, we have lost millions of hectares,” said Fernanda Negrón, an animal rights activist, at the protest. “Millions of animals have been burned to death.”
In Brazil, a drought that began last year has become the worst on record, according to the national disaster monitoring agency Cemaden.
“Overall, the 2023-2024 drought is the most intense, longest in some regions and most extensive in recent history, at least in data since 1950,” said Ana Paula Cunha, a researcher at Cemaden.
The highest number of fires this month were recorded in Brazil and Bolivia, followed by Peru, Argentina and Paraguay, according to Inpe data. Unusually intense fires that hit Venezuela, Guyana and Colombia earlier this year contributed to the record, but have now largely subsided.
Fires caused by deforestation in the Amazon generate particularly intense smoke due to the density of the vegetation burning, Longo explained.
Some 9 million square kilometres of South America have been covered in smoke at times, more than half the continent, he said.
According to the IQAir website, Sao Paulo had the worst air quality in the world earlier this week, higher than that of famous pollution hotspots such as China and India. La Paz was also covered in smoke.Infobae.
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2024-09-14 06:58:39
What are the main causes behind the record-breaking fires in South America?
Table of Contents
Record-Breaking Fires Rage Across South America: A Looming Environmental Crisis
The South American continent is facing an unprecedented environmental disaster as fires rage across the region, breaking records and devastating ecosystems. According to data analyzed by Brazil’s space research agency Inpe, a staggering 346,112 fire outbreaks have been recorded so far this year, surpassing the 2007 record of 345,322. The crisis is not limited to Brazil, with Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, Paraguay, Venezuela, Guyana, and Colombia also affected.
The Scale of the Disaster
The fires, which are spreading rapidly due to hot and dry conditions fueled by climate change, have darkened skies over cities like Sao Paulo, creating a wildfire smoke corridor that stretches diagonally across the continent from Colombia to Uruguay. The sheer scale of the disaster is daunting, with thousands of firefighters battling to control the flames, but most remaining at the mercy of extreme weather conditions.
Causes and Consequences
While most fires are man-made, recent hot and dry conditions caused by climate change are helping fires spread more quickly. South America has been hit by a series of heatwaves since last year, with São Paulo experiencing temperatures above 32 degrees Celsius since Saturday, despite still being winter in the southern hemisphere. The drought that began last year has become the worst on record, according to the national disaster monitoring agency Cemaden, with millions of hectares lost and millions of animals burned to death.
Protests and Calls to Action
Hundreds of people have taken to the streets in La Paz, demanding measures against the fires and carrying banners that read ”Bolivia in flames” and ”For cleaner air, stop burning.” Animal rights activist Fernanda Negrón emphasized the devastating impact of the fires, stating, “Please realize what is happening in the country, we have lost millions of hectares… Millions of animals have been burned to death.”
The Need for Urgent Action
The record-breaking fires in South America are a stark reminder of the need for urgent action to address climate change and protect the environment. The consequences of inaction will be catastrophic, with ecosystems and biodiversity at risk of extinction. It is imperative that governments, organizations, and individuals come together to combat this crisis and prevent future disasters.
Key Takeaways
346,112 fire outbreaks recorded in South America so far this year, breaking the 2007 record
Hot and dry conditions fueled by climate change are spreading fires rapidly
Thousands of firefighters battling to control the flames, but most remain at the mercy of extreme weather conditions
Drought in Brazil has become the worst on record, with millions of hectares lost and millions of animals burned to death
Protests and calls to action demanding measures to address the crisis
Urgent action needed to combat climate change and protect the environment
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Heatwaves
Ecosystems
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* Environmental disaster
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– What are the main causes of the raging fires in South America?
Raging Fires Sweep Across South America, Breaking Records and Fueling Climate Concerns
The continent of South America is facing an unprecedented environmental crisis as massive fires rage across the region, breaking records and sparking widespread concern about the devastating impact of climate change. From the Amazon rainforest to the dry forests of Bolivia and beyond, the scale of the blazes is staggering, with satellite data revealing a record-breaking 346,112 fire outbreaks so far this year.
A Continent Ablaze
Brazil, the hardest-hit country, has seen the most fires, with the space research agency Inpe recording a staggering 200,000-plus outbreaks. Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, and Paraguay are also battling intense fires, which have been fueled by extreme weather conditions, including heatwaves and drought.
Climate Change: The Culprit Behind the Flames
While human activity is a significant contributor to the fires, scientists point to climate change as a primary driver of the crisis. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events have all played a role in creating the perfect conditions for fires to spread rapidly.
Unprecedented Weather Patterns
The region has been experiencing unusual weather patterns, with Sao Paulo, Brazil, for example, experiencing temperatures above 32 degrees Celsius since Saturday, despite it being winter in the southern hemisphere. “We have never had winter,” said Karla Longo, an air quality researcher at Inpe. “It’s absurd.”
Devastating Consequences
The fires have had a catastrophic impact on the environment, with millions of hectares of land destroyed, and countless animals killed. Protesters in La Paz, Bolivia, took to the streets to demand action, carrying banners and signs that read “Bolivia in flames” and “For cleaner air, stop burning.”
Emergency Response
Governments in Brazil and Bolivia have deployed thousands of firefighters to combat the blazes, but their efforts are being hampered by the extreme weather conditions. The situation remains dire, with the fires showing no signs of abating.
A Global Concern
The crisis in South America serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for global action on climate change. As the world’s largest wetlands and forests continue to burn, the consequences will be felt far beyond the region, threatening biodiversity, air quality, and the very fabric of our planet.
Key Statistics
346,112 fire outbreaks recorded in South America so far this year (as of September 11)
200,000+ fires in Brazil alone
2007 record broken, with the highest number of fires recorded in a single year
Millions of hectares of land destroyed
Countless animals killed
Thousands of firefighters deployed to combat the blazes
Call to Action
As the situation in South America continues to deteriorate, it is imperative that policymakers, governments, and individuals around the world take immediate action to address the root causes of climate change. The time for denial, complacency, and inaction is over. The future of our planet depends on it.
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