Brasília—Firefighters have successfully managed to curb the spread of a massive wildfire that ravaged 20% of the National Forest of Brasília over two days this week. The fire, suspected to be caused by arson, enveloped the city in thick smoke and wreaked havoc during the peak of the dry season.
The blaze ignited in a period of high temperatures and dry conditions, allowing the flames to spread rapidly through the 5,600-hectare National Forest. This forest is a crucial conservation area, providing 70% of Brasília’s freshwater supply.
Forest manager Fabio dos Santos Miranda reported that three out of four active fires have been extinguished. He expressed hope that the remaining fire will be controlled by the end of the day. Although there is significant evidence pointing to possible environmental crime, authorities have yet to confirm whether the fire was intentionally started.
Three suspects were reportedly seen near the fire’s origin. Firefighters also faced difficulties protecting nearby orchards, as strong winds carried embers towards local farms. Major Godoy, a firefighter involved in the operation, voiced concerns about the encroaching flames, stating, “We are working to protect the orchards, but the wind is blowing the fire towards them.”
Local farmers, such as Emilia Vasconcellos, are worried that the fire might have been deliberately set to clear land. However, there is currently no concrete evidence to support this claim.
The National Forest had already suffered significant deforestation in 2022 due to urban development initiatives under former President Jair Bolsonaro, whose policies weakened environmental protections. This fire comes amidst a record drought and increased fire activity in the Amazon, exacerbated by El Niño and climate change. August marked the highest number of fires in the Amazon since 2010, highlighting ongoing environmental challenges facing Brazil.
