September 2021 fires in Brazilian Amazon around half of those in September 2020

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Fires in the Brazilian Amazon fell by almost half in September compared to a year ago, government data showed Thursday (30), with more rainfall and enforcement initiatives helping to curb the destruction of the forest.

A source in Rondônia witnessed only two fires while flying over a region for 40 minutes.

Visibility was good, a sharp contrast to the smoky backdrop that covered the region at the height of the fire season in 2019 and 2020.

The region’s milder fire season comes after a large spike in the number of fires in 2019 and 2020, which led to an international outcry that President Jair Bolsonaro is not doing enough to protect the planet’s largest rainforest.

Satellites recorded 16,747 fire outbreaks in the first 29 days of September, compared to 32,174 for the whole month in 2020, according to preliminary data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE).

“The rains helped a lot, and in some specific areas the action of environmental agencies was very important,” said Alberto Setzer, a senior researcher specializing in fire statistics at INPE. “Thousands of fines were issued for illegal deforestation and fires in the Amazon.”

The Amazon registered a more significant rate of rainfall in the period between September 24 and 28, according to a report compiled by several government agencies. Substantial rainfall is forecast through October 6 for the whole of Brazil.

Integrated government efforts to prevent fires have also been key to reducing damage, said Col. Luis Antônio Ferreira Marques Ramos, an aide to Vice President Hamilton Mourão.

Mourão has overseen Amazon policies for nearly 2 years and coordinated initiatives between the Army, environmental agencies, police and other government agencies involved in fighting fires and deforestation.