Wildfire destroys 20% of Brasilia forest, arson suspected
The Facts
On Monday, a wildfire started in teh National Forest of Brasilia, destroying more than 20% of the forest before firefighters controlled it on Wednesday. A gray-white haze covered Brazil's capital.
The National Forest includes 5,600 hectares and supplies 70% of the capital's freshwater through its springs. Parched vegetation and high temperatures during the dry season caused the fire to spread rapidly.
The Spin
The delayed and less intense rainfall last year, caused by the El Nino weather pattern and exacerbated by climate change, has led to a severe drought in the Amazon this year. This has made the Amazon region particularly susceptible to the increased risk of wildfires. Typically, people who want to clear land for agriculture or animal grazing start fires. The government should intensify its efforts to save the rainforest and step-up enivronmental controls.
Criminal acitivy is fueling the many fires in Brazil's Amazon rainforest, resulting in enormous damage to the environment and wildlife. Furthermore, the fires negatively impact Brasilia's air quality, leading to its official classification as "very poor." Health authoriteis strongly recommend residents to use protective masks when going outside, as they have observed a spike in respiratory problems. The human toll resulting from these wildfires is substantial and places a significant pressure on the public healthcare systems.
