Record Wildfires in Brazil Rage Across Amazon, Pantanal Wetlands
Democracy NowAug 22
Fire Destroys 20% of Brasilia Forest
Above: Aerial view of the Amazon rain forest following wild fires on August 25, 2019, in the Candeias do Jamari region near Porto Velho, Brazil. Image copyright: Victor Moriyama/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
On Monday, a wildfire started in the National Forest of Brasilia, destroying more than 20% of the forest before firefighters brought it under control on Wednesday.
The National Forest includes 5.6K hectares (13.8K acres) and supplies 70% of the capital's freshwater through its springs. Dry vegetation and high temperatures during the dry season were attributed to the fire's rapid spread.
The Spin
Narrative A
The delayed and less intense rainfall last year, caused by the El Niño 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. The government must intensify its efforts to save the rainforest by stepping up environmental controls.
Narrative B
Criminal activity is fueling the many fires in Brazil's Amazon rainforest, resulting in enormous damage to the environment and wildlife. Furthermore, the fires negatively impact the region's air quality, leading to its official classification as "very poor." While environmental controls are certainly needed, they will do little to actually address the problem unless they go in hand with measures to address environmental crimes.
