Due to the greatest drought in decades, the Amazon rainforest is experiencing devastating fires. In response, the Brazilian government has sent out about 1,500 firefighters to confront the fires.
Although there has been a decline in deforestation since President Lula da Silva took office in January 2023, satellite data indicates that there have been 59,000 fires this year—the most since 2008.
540,000 people live in Porto Velho, which is affected by the smoke from the fires.
The smoke has replaced the "flying rivers" of moisture above the rainforest, and the destructive fires in the Pantanal wetlands have been made worse by climate change brought on by humans.
El Niño and global warming were mentioned by Environment Minister Marina Silva as causes.
In addition to requesting fire bans in the impacted states, authorities have dispatched 1,489 firefighters.
The drought has led to record-low river levels and significant ecological impacts, with endangered species and forest ecosystems suffering. Recent studies warn that the Amazon’s resilience is weakening, raising concerns about irreversible damage to this crucial carbon sink.
