Drought, deforestation, climate change: Why South America is burning

Last Updated25/09/2024

South America is witnessing its worst forest fire season in nearly two decades, breaking a previous record for the number of blazes seen in a year (till September 11).

South America is currently experiencing its most severe forest fire season in nearly 20 years, with record-breaking numbers of blazes reported across the continent.
As of September 11, satellite data from Brazil's space research agency INPE has detected 346,112 fire hotspots in all 13 South American countries, surpassing the previous record of 345,322 hotspots set in 2007.

The fires have primarily devastated the Amazon rainforest, impacting Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, and other nations. In Brazil alone, which accounts for about 60% of all fires in the region, over 11 million hectares of land have been scorched between January and August—an area roughly twice the size of Uttarakhand, India.
Three key ecosystems—the Amazon, Cerrado, and Pantanal—have been particularly hard-hit.

Following Brazil, Bolivia has reported significant fire damage, with over 3.8 million hectares affected as of mid-September. Other countries like Peru, Argentina, and Paraguay have also witnessed extensive wildfires.
The smoke from these fires has created toxic air quality across multiple countries, resulting in deteriorating visibility and health concerns.

The smoke has led to increased hospital visits for respiratory issues, with experts warning that thousands may suffer premature deaths due to smoke inhalation. Studies estimate that wildfire smoke contributes to approximately 12,000 early deaths annually in South America.

The current wildfire season has been exacerbated by severe drought conditions across the continent. About 59% of Brazil is facing drought, with historic lows in river flows throughout the Amazon basin. These conditions, intensified by the recent El Niño phenomenon, have made fires more likely to spread.

High levels of deforestation, particularly in the Amazon, have created conditions conducive to wildfires. Deforestation alters regional weather patterns, resulting in increased droughts that make forests more vulnerable to fires.
Moreover, climate change has played a significant role, with recent studies indicating that rising temperatures have made droughts 30 times more likely and have intensified extreme weather patterns.

The annual increase in fires during August to October can be attributed to farmers intentionally burning land for agriculture. However, this year's combination of severe drought and increased deforestation has led to an unprecedented scale of wildfires.

Looking ahead, it is uncertain whether the number of wildfires will continue to rise this year. Typically, rainfall begins in October, but forecasts are unpredictable. Ane Alencar, director of science at the Amazon Environmental Research Institute, noted the uncertainty surrounding forthcoming rainfall.
Climate scientists have long predicted such extreme weather events, including droughts and wildfires, as consequences of climate change. As global temperatures continue to rise, these extreme conditions are expected to worsen, posing ongoing challenges for environmental and public health across South America.