Earth Science News
FIRE STORM
'Out of control fires' in Brazil wetlands spark state of emergency
'Out of control fires' in Brazil wetlands spark state of emergency
by AFP Staff Writers
Rio De Janeiro (AFP) June 24, 2024

Regional authorities in Brazil on Monday declared a state of emergency as the Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetlands, faces "out of control fires," according to a decree.

The surge of fires before the peak of the dry season has raised alarm for the Pantanal, which extends into Bolivia and Paraguay and is home to a rich array of wildlife, including the world's highest density of jaguars.

The six-month state of emergency was declared by the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, home to much of the wetlands in Brazil.

Experts say the blazes are a result of a harsh drought and deliberate fires set to expand agricultural land into the forest that burn out of control.

According to environmental satellite data from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 627,000 hectares of the Pantanal have already gone up in flames since the start of the year.

The Pantanal, a region slightly bigger than England, experienced its worst year for fires in 2020, when 30 percent of the wetlands were affected.

So far this year, there are 33 percent more fires than seen over the same period in 2020.

"Does this mean that the Pantanal will burn more than in 2020? Not necessarily, but it will depend directly on authorities who will have to mobilize maximum resources to prevent a tragedy like we saw in 2020," Gustavo Figueiroa, director of the SOS Pantanal NGO, said in a video on Instagram.

Related Links
Forest and Wild Fires - News, Science and Technology

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
FIRE STORM
Sidus Space Demonstrates AI Enhanced Firefighting Software Solution on LizzieSat
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jun 21, 2024
Sidus Space (NASDAQ: SIDU), a space and data-as-a-service satellite company, announced the demonstration of an advanced software solution supported by its FeatherEdge technology aboard its LizzieSat satellite, launched in March 2024 on SpaceX's Transporter-10 mission. This innovation, in collaboration with Xiomas Technologies, is a key milestone in the NASA-funded initiative to develop advanced thermal sensors, setting a new standard in space-based thermal sensing systems. The FeatherEdge solution ... read more

FIRE STORM
Israeli women rush to buy guns in October 7 aftermath

Advanced Tech for Crisis Response Unveiled by AHEAD Project

Egypt to prosecute travel agents over hajj 'fraud': government

US Supreme Court upholds ban on domestic abusers owning guns

FIRE STORM
Small Changes Yield Major Advances in Materials Research

Italy seeks to reopen mines in critical minerals quest

Kyocera Installs Fine Cordierite Ceramic Mirror on ISS for Optical Communications

Amazon to invest extra 10 bn euros in Germany

FIRE STORM
'Urgent' for Australia to protect Great Barrier Reef: UNESCO

After a century away, sturgeons return to Swedish waters

Panama Canal agency warns water shortage "is not over"

Hawaii agrees to 'historic' settlement in youth climate case

FIRE STORM
Antarctic faces melting 'tipping point' as oceans warm: study

As ice melts, Everest's 'death zone' gives up its ghosts

Will Climate Change Turn the Arctic Green?

On thin ice: Greenland's last Inuit polar bear hunters

FIRE STORM
The herders caught in India and China's icy conflict

S.Africa to dish up more zebra to boost jobs and conservation

Algerian women pioneer eco-friendly farming

Central China farmers face crop failures in 'withering' drought

FIRE STORM
Body found after Swiss floods, two still missing

Torrential rains kill 27 across Central America

Floods, landslides kill 24 in Ivory Coast's main city

Volcanic eruption in Iceland ends after 24 days met office

FIRE STORM
Tunisian soldier dead in attack against patrol: ministry

Guinea junta leader's ex-deputy dies in detention

Five killed in clashes at Kenya anti-tax protests: NGOs

Niger army says it killed 'influential' Islamic State fighter

FIRE STORM
Murdered and forgotten: Iraqi victims of gender-based violence

Just thinking about a location activates mental maps in the brain

Tiny species of Great Ape lived in Germany 11M years ago

JK Rowling says regrets not speaking out sooner on trans issues

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.