In the Amazon, approximately 20% of the forests have been destroyed, and another 40% are severely degraded. The combination of high temperatures and below-average rainfall, following years of extreme drought, culminated in a severe drought in 2024. Fire has invaded forests that were once humid. This degradation and loss of forests is threatening the survival of countless species, reducing the resilience of forests and their ability to provide vital ecosystem services.

Recent studies by INPE indicate that forest fires in the Amazon and other biomes increased considerably in 2023, with an even greater increase in 2024. Although these fires are caused by human activities, it is recognized by science that climate change - evidenced by rising temperatures, reduced soil moisture and decreased rainfall - is a key factor in the increase of forest fires in the Amazon. The El Niño phenomenon adds to the risk by being associated with prolonged periods of drought in the region.

In dry years, such as 2023 and 2024, fire can easily become uncontrollable, as the entire landscape becomes highly flammable. As deforestation fragments the landscape, creating more edges between forests and open areas, these become more vulnerable to fire. 

With extreme droughts, such as the current one, the fragmentation of the landscape, the use of fire in agricultural activities, the presence of more degraded forests due to previous fires, and illegal deforestation, the risk of fires is expected to increase even more. 

The Santarém region, for example, is already considered a "hotspot" for forest fires, with mega-fires occurring since the 90s. In the eastern Amazon, the last 40 years have seen a reduction in rainfall of between 30 and 40% and an increase in temperature of between 2 and 2.5°C during the dry season.

The transformation of the Amazon is a cause of great concern for society and policymakers, as this situation could lead to the collapse of the forest, intense and frequent changes in the flows and water levels of the great Amazonian rivers, as we have seen today. This affects millions of people in the region's urban and rural areas, with significant impacts on Brazil and the world.

Although achieving zero deforestation in the Amazon is a crucial step towards protecting the forest, this measure alone will not be enough to prevent forest fires.

More audacious actions are urgently needed to tackle the complex challenges threatening the Amazon. Among these measures is the strengthening of integrated fire management policies. The new Law No. 14.944/2024, which establishes the National Fire Management Policy (PNMF), represents a step forward for Brazil, as it opens up the possibility of more strategic and long-term planning for fire management, including prevention, combat and recovery actions.  Despite being an important step, the law still needs to be improved in some respects, such as investment in firefighting resources. Currently, the lack of resources and the precarious working conditions of firefighters, with short-term contracts, hinder prevention actions and make it difficult to respond efficiently in the long term. 

It is essential that public policies incorporate fire management in an integrated way, including prevention, awareness-raising and firefighting actions, seeking more efficient and effective alternatives to protect the environment and ensure the safety of communities. It is also important to support scientific research to better understand the interactions between climate, fire and vegetation. In addition, it is essential to strengthen monitoring and ensure compliance with environmental laws, so that illegal activities are duly punished. 

In the strategy of fire management and forest conservation, the commitment and involvement of municipal managers and councillors is also necessary. As Bertha Becker pointed out, cities need to be active in protecting forests, which provide ecosystem services essential to their functioning, productivity and well-being.

These combined actions are essential to protect the Amazon from fires and conserve its unique biodiversity.

Ima Vieira is agronomist, PhD in Ecology from the University of Stirling (UK), researcher at Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, advisor at Studies and Projects Financier (FINEP).