Sao Felix do Xingu is a town in the Brazilian Amazon where fire is a regular part of ranching life. Ranchers use it to clear land cheaply, but this practice comes with dire consequences. Fires leave behind blackened soil and destroyed trees, threatening the Amazon rainforest, the world’s largest tropical forest.
Locals refer to fire as “Joao Vermelho” or “Red John.” For ranchers like Antonio Carlos Batista, it’s an easy solution during the dry season. “It’s cheaper than labor and pesticides,” he explains. But using fire is risky. In 2024, an unprecedented drought exacerbated by climate change led to wildfires that devastated almost 18 million hectares of the Amazon.
While deforestation rates fell by 11% last year, most of the forest fires ignited on cattle ranches, spreading to forested areas. Unfortunately, Sao Felix recorded over 7,000 active fires, as noted by Environment Minister Marina Silva. Experts emphasize the need for better fire management, stricter laws, and a cultural shift toward sustainable practices.
The upcoming COP30 climate conference in Belem will put a spotlight on this pressing issue. Despite a ban on using fire for pasture maintenance, enforcement remains weak. Many ranchers feel powerless, caught between large agricultural corporations and government regulations. “They call us criminals,” laments farmer Dalmi Pereira, highlighting the struggles of small producers.
Igniting debates on sustainability, the ongoing fires have sparked user discussions on platforms like Twitter and WhatsApp, where locals exchange alerts about fire activity and enforcement officials. “When a car from the environmental agency shows up, everyone is warned,” says farmer Jose Juliao do Nascimento.
The cycle of destruction is intensified by corporate farming practices. The Agro SB company, for example, has failed to pay several environmental fines but continues to receive government support. This favoritism frustrates small farmers who often lack legal land titles, leaving them vulnerable to threats and intimidation.
Ane Alencar from the Amazon Environmental Research Institute notes that this year has seen a decrease in fires, aided by a shift in weather patterns and intensified government oversight. However, the vastness of the area makes monitoring challenging. “Finding who started the fire is a complex process,” admits Rodrigo Agostinho of Ibama, Brazil’s environmental agency.
In historical context, policies under past governments have fluctuated. During Lula’s earlier terms from 2003-2010, strict measures led to a 70% drop in deforestation. Yet the previous administration under Jair Bolsonaro adopted a much more lenient approach, which has led to current struggles with enforcement and public support.
As experts like journalist Joao Moreira Salles stress, public awareness and action are vital. “What matters is that Brazil recognizes the value of the Amazon,” he insists. The future of this precious ecosystem relies on sustainable practices and a collective commitment to change.
For more information on deforestation and its impacts, visit the World Resources Institute for detailed reports and ongoing research.
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BRAZIL, ENVIRONMENT, FIRE, COP30, AMAZON, AGRICULTURE, CLIMATE CHANGE, WHO IS SETTING FIRE TO AMAZON BRAZIL ENVIRONMENT COP30 AGRICULTURE
