In 2024, Brazil witnessed an extraordinary surge in forest fires, primarily triggered by climate change and prolonged droughts. According to the Fire Annual Report by MapBiomas, the country lost over 30.87 million hectares of wilderness to flames a dramatic rise well above the historical norm. This sharp escalation has renewed calls for robust climate policies and better fire prevention strategies.
Widespread Fire Damage Across Brazil
The data reveals that 62% of the burnt area in 2024 exceeded the long-term average of 18.5 million hectares. Over the past decade alone, 43% of all burned lands since 1985 occurred, marking an intense acceleration of fire-related destruction. The Pantanal wetland region emerged as one of the hardest-hit ecosystems, with 62% of its territory affected by fires at least once since 2019.
Biome-Level Analysis And Fire Recurrence
Between 1985 and 2024, approximately 206 million hectares of Brazilian land experienced fires. The Cerrado biome showed the highest fire frequency, with some regions igniting over 16 times in the past four decades. In 2024, massive fire outbreaks those affecting more than 100,000 hectares made up nearly one-third of all burnt land.
Seasonal Fire Peaks And Critical Months
Fires were particularly intense between August and October, with 72% of total burn incidents happening in these three months. September alone accounted for nearly a third of all fire-affected areas, underscoring its status as the most dangerous period for forest blazes.
Ecosystem Vulnerability And Vegetation Loss
In 2024, 72.7% of burned areas consisted of natural vegetation, with forested regions suffering more damage than savannah-type landscapes. In the Pantanal, an alarming 93% of fire activity occurred in native ecosystems, revealing the fragile state of this globally significant wetland.
Historical Trends And Climate Factors
Long-term trends suggest that the Pantanal’s fire patterns are closely linked to drought cycles and native vegetation dynamics. Since 2018, ongoing dry spells, especially around the Paraguay River basin, have significantly increased fire risk.
Biodiversity At Risk In Atlantic Biome
In 2024, the Atlantic Forest biome experienced unprecedented fire events, with 1.2 million hectares burnt far surpassing past records. These fires not only threaten unique biodiversity but also jeopardize ecosystem services vital for climate regulation, water cycles, and soil stability.
Human Activity And Forest Fire Incidence
In the Amazon, most fires were anthropogenic a direct result of human actions such as land clearing and illegal burning. Compounding this were extreme droughts, which intensified fire severity. Uniquely, forests became the primary land cover affected, overtaking grasslands and pastures in fire damage.
Regional Concentration Of Fire Damage
The Amazon and Cerrado accounted for a combined 86% of all burned land from 1985 to 2024. The states of Mato Grosso, Para, and Maranhao were the most affected, together making up 47% of the national burn area.
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