Everyone Against the Fires: Copaíba launches awareness campaign to protect lives, preserve biomes and prevent environmental disasters

Initiative mobilizes community and producers to reduce risks and environmental damage in the Atlantic Forest

Throughout 2024, more than 30 million hectares of Brazilian territory were burned, resulting in the destruction of an area larger than the entire country of Italy, according to MapBiomas. Although 2025 began with approximately 40% fewer fires than recorded last year, the statistics are still alarming: 1 million hectares were burned during the first half of the year, and August brought a new wave of fires to the state of São Paulo and southern Minas Gerais, whose negative impacts range from the devastation of biomes to economic and human health impacts. It is estimated, for example, that between June and August 2024, Brazilian agribusiness suffered losses of R$14.7 billion, not counting the losses in urban areas, which total more than R$1.3 billion, affecting thousands of families and essential services, as revealed by Development Aid.

In the Atlantic Forest, predominantly located in the São Paulo and Minas Gerais Water Circuit region, the environmental impact of the 2024 fires was 1.2 million hectares consumed by fire, an amount 2,61% above the biome's historical average. The impact on forests also impacted human health, as revealed in a study published by PubMed, which revealed that the waves of fires were associated with a 23% increase in hospital admissions for respiratory diseases and a 21% increase for circulatory diseases in the country.

Given this panorama, the Copaíb Environmental Associationannounces the launch of the “Everyone Against the Burnings” campaign, broadcast via social media (@aacopaiba) with the goal of mobilizing society and raising awareness about the risks of wildfires and prevention methods. The social media campaign continues the project that began in June 2025, when the association held a fire brigade preparation course, training volunteers and local producers to identify fire outbreaks, act safely, and quickly contact the appropriate agencies.

Rafael Leopoldi, the Association's Marketing Manager, emphasizes that the campaign's objective is to reinforce the need for cooperation between government agencies, rural producers, residents, and tourists to reduce risks, especially during periods of drought and high temperatures. "Every lost tree represents a piece of our history and our health that disappears. We're not just talking about nature, but also about quality of life, safety, and the future," says Leopoldi. 

The campaign reinforces the importance of not using fire to clear land, keeping areas around buildings clean and free of dry vegetation, and never burning trash or pruning debris. Furthermore, the initiative emphasizes the need to report any fire or suspicious activity to the Fire Department (193), the Environmental Police, or Ibama's Green Line (0800 61 8080).

"Prevention is always cheaper and more effective than combat. To achieve this, we need every citizen as an ally," concludes the Association's Marketing Manager.

Check out the full campaign on social media: @aacopaiba. 

More about Copaiba

Founded in 1999 by a group of friends concerned about the degradation of the Atlantic Forest in the municipality of Socorro, São Paulo, the Copaíba Environmental Association is a non-profit organization, qualified as a Civil Society Organization of Public Interest (OSCIP), operating in 19 municipalities in the eastern region of the state of São Paulo and southern Minas Gerais. Currently, the association promotes ecological restoration projects and programs; native seedling production; environmental education initiatives; and participation in public policies. In total, more than 4 million seedlings have been produced, 300 landowners have partnered, 713 hectares have been restored, and 40,000 have participated in environmental education experiences. Learn more at our website.