Recent data from the Burnings Program, from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), reveal that 2024 is consolidating itself as one of the years with the highest number of fire outbreaks. burned in the last decade. In September, the country registered more than 80 thousand fires, a number about 30% higher than the historical average recorded since 1998 by INPE. Even if the number of fires does not exceed the historical averages in the next three months, 2024 is already positioned as the year with the highest number of fires since 2010, when Brazil recorded 319,383 records.
This mark should be surpassed, as September saw an increase of 311%, going from 18 thousand outbreaks in 2023 to 75 thousand in 2024.
Central-West leads increase in fires in 2024
The INPE survey indicates an increase in fires in all regions of the country compared to 2023, with emphasis on the Center-West. Three federative units in the region recorded the largest increases: Mato Grosso do Sul, with an impressive increase of 601% and 11,990 outbreaks in 2024; the Federal District, with an increase of 269% (318 outbreaks); and Mato Grosso, with 217%, accounting for 45 thousand outbreaks - becoming the state with the highest number of fires in the country this year, surpassing Pará. In September, Mato Grosso was responsible for 23.8% of the fire outbreaks in Brazil, with 19,439 records.
Pará also recorded alarming numbers, with 17,297 fires in September, representing 21.2% of all fires in the country.
Southeast also shows significant increases
The states of the Southeast, although with lower total numbers, also recorded significant increases in fires. São Paulo recorded an increase of 4,28% in September, with 7,855 fires, while Rio de Janeiro grew by 1,84%, totaling 1,074 fires. In September, São Paulo recorded the most fires, accounting for 2,445 active fires, which represents 3% of the national fires. In the last two days, the state recorded 65 active fires, according to INPE.
The state Civil Defense reported outbreaks in four municipalities on Sunday (29), including Luiz Antônio, with combat concentrated at the Jataí Ecological Station. There are 133 agents involved at the site, including civil defense, firefighters, brigade members and volunteers, in addition to 42 vehicles, such as water trucks, tractors and 4×4 pickup trucks. Plants in the region joined the task force, sending brigade members and support vehicles. Six aircraft — four planes and two helicopters — were also mobilized to assist in the combat.
2024 could exceed 300,000 fire outbreaks
Since measurements began, Brazil has surpassed the 300,000 fire outbreaks mark in just six years: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2010. In 2024, the country is on track to return to this level. With 208,000 outbreaks already recorded, the year is behind only 2020 (with 222,797 outbreaks) and 2015 (with 216,778 outbreaks), considering the last ten years.
Source: agrolink
