The number of fires is three times higher than on August 10, 2019, which was labeled “Fire Day” because farmers allegedly engaged in coordinated arson, sparking an international outcry.
The number of wildfires in Brazil’s Amazon reached its highest level in 15 years on Monday, according to official figures, another sign of the devastation taking place in the world’s largest rainforest.
Satellite imagery identified 3,358 fire outbreaks on Monday, August 22. This is the highest number in one day since September 2007, an official of the National Institute for Space Studies (INPE) confirmed to the French Agency (AFP) yesterday Thursday.
The number of fires is three times higher than on August 10, 2019, which was labeled “Fire Day” because farmers allegedly engaged in coordinated arson, sparking an international outcry.
According to Alberto Setzer, head of INRE’s fire monitoring program, there is no evidence that Monday’s fires were caused by coordinated arson.
Experts attribute the fires in the Amazon to the actions of farmers, ranchers and speculators, who “clear” the land by burning trees.
The fire season in the Amazon usually starts in August, when the drought begins. Since the beginning of the month, 24,124 fire outbreaks have been recorded and this August may be the worst under the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro.
The president of Brazil is criticized for his support for the destruction of part of the Amazon for the benefit of agriculture. Since he took office in January 2019, average annual deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has increased by 75% compared to the previous decade.
Addressing his critics from abroad, Brazil’s far-right president tweeted Thursday: “If they wanted to own a beautiful forest, they should have kept it in their countries… The Amazon belongs and will always belong to Brazilians”.
RES-EMP
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