Brazil is facing an unprecedented environmental crisis, with an alarming increase in the number of fires across the country. In recent months, vast areas of forests, cerrado and other biomes have been consumed by fire from north to south of the country, causing irreparable damage to biodiversity and air quality.
According to data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the number of fire outbreaks in Brazil exceeded 4,500 last weekend, added to the more than 100,000 outbreaks registered since January, an increase of 78% over the same period last year.
The most affected regions include mainly the Amazon, followed by the Cerrado, the Atlantic Forest and the Pantanal, and its causes are diverse and complex, involving natural factors such as prolonged drought and human activities such as inadequate agricultural practices and criminal actions. The consequences of this crisis are devastating, impacting not only the environment, but also the health of the population, the economy and the global climate.
The intensification of fires in 2024 exposes the fragility of environmental protection policies in Brazil. Brazilian legislation has several rules and laws that aim to protect the environment and combat fires, such as the Forest Code (Law No. 12,651/2012), which defines areas of permanent preservation, establishes rules for the use of fire, and determines the responsibilities of landowners. However, the application of laws like this is not always effective, which makes clear the need for more robust and coordinated actions. It is essential that the government implements stricter measures to prevent, monitor, and combat fires, with exemplary punishment for offenders.

Fires in the Interior of São Paulo: A Recent Overview

The fire crisis in the state of São Paulo also reached historic levels in August 2024. With more than 3,400 fires, the state experienced one of the worst months since records began in 1998 by INPE. The smoke that covered entire cities last weekend is a clear sign of the severity of the situation.
The regions of Ribeirão Preto and São José do Rio Preto accounted for the largest number of occurrences, with aspects in common across the state, such as more than 80% starting in areas of agricultural use and almost at the same time, with only 90 minutes between them. These are the results of an analysis by the Amazon Environmental Research Institute (Ipam), on Tuesday (27). According to the national secretary of Civil Protection and Defense, Wolnei Wolff, almost 100% of the fires in the state of São Paulo were caused by human action.

Socorro and the region: The scars of fire and the hope of regeneration

The fires that ravaged the entire country also affected our region, leaving deep scars on our ecosystem. The loss of native vegetation is not limited to immediate destruction, but triggers a series of lasting impacts.
In Socorro, at least 28 hectares of forest were burned last weekend, according to our previous survey. For each hectare lost, wildlife lost its habitat, the soil became more exposed to erosion and the water retention capacity was compromised, which could alter the rainfall pattern and increase the risk of landslides, floods, etc. The natural regeneration of these areas can take decades, and often does not occur completely, requiring restoration actions.
In the last rainy season, from October 2023 to March 2024, that is, in 5 months, Copaíba planted 60 hectares of degraded areas, which are being cared for and monitored for at least the next two years, and with commitment and hope, they will be able to form new forest fragments.
In one day, in just 24 hours, almost 30 hectares of forests were destroyed by fire.
Not only in Socorro, but throughout our area of operation, in the Peixe and Camanducaia river basins, we received reports of areas of forests that were partially or completely burned, including in areas that were undergoing ecological restoration.
In this scenario, we are once again witnessing the devastation of our forests by criminal fires. We are overcome with disillusionment when we realize that, despite all the efforts to raise awareness and preserve the environment, greed and irresponsibility continue to happen, putting the lives of several species at risk and compromising the balance of our planet.

Fires: Report them!

Have you witnessed an illegal fire? Don't keep quiet! Reporting it is the first step in combating this environmental crime. There are several ways to report the incident:
* Official Channels: Contact agencies such as IBAMA, the fire department (193) or civil defense (199). Provide details such as the exact location, date and time of the incident, and any other information that may help identify those responsible.
* Hotlines: Many municipalities have specific channels for reporting fires. In Socorro-SP, for example, Municipal Law No. 3825/2014 provides for fines for offenders, and the population can report via WhatsApp (19) 99613-7057.
* NGOs: Look for non-governmental organizations that work in environmental protection. They can guide you on reporting procedures and offer support.
* Press: If you have evidence and are sure, contact the local press. Publicizing the case can put pressure on the authorities and raise awareness among the population.

Preserving the Atlantic Forest and combating illegal burning requires joint efforts by society, government authorities and environmental organizations. By reporting these illegal activities, you are contributing to the protection and health of people, animals and the environment. Be a defender of nature and help put an end to bushfires!