The northernmost state of Brazil, Roraima, is experiencing an unprecedented surge in wildfires, posing a severe threat to the Yanomami Indigenous people and raising alarms about the health of the Amazon rainforest. In just the first two months of this year, the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) identified 2,606 fires in Roraima, nearly matching the total of 2,659 for all of last year.
February alone saw an all-time high with at least 2,002 fire outbreaks recorded in the state. Since the beginning of the year, Roraima has accounted for 29.5 percent of all fires in Brazil, according to INPE data. The situation is particularly dire for the Yanomami community, with at least 251 blazes recorded on their land, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis already intensified by illegal mining activities.
“Since last year we’ve been feeling this big change. Air humidity is very low, and this has also led to problems with illness in families, especially children. The heat is really abnormal,” said Tuxaua Cesar da Silva, an Indigenous leader from the Tabalascada community.
The Brazilian federal government convened meetings in the state capital, Boa Vista, on Thursday to coordinate a response to the escalating crisis. Environment Minister Marina Silva attributed the fires to a “terrible combination” of the El Niño climatic phenomenon, which weakens rainfall in the region, arson, and the broader impacts of climate change.
Despite efforts by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to curb deforestation—resulting in Amazon deforestation rates halving compared to the previous year—the fires in Roraima highlight the fragile state of the rainforest. Greenpeace Brazil spokesperson Romulo Batista emphasized the need for proactive measures. “Once the climate is as dry as it is, as hot as it is, it’s also a time when there’s more wind, all of which feeds the fire and makes it very difficult to put it out,” he said.
Environmental experts warn that the situation in Roraima could have far-reaching consequences beyond Brazil’s borders. The Amazon rainforest plays a critical role in global climate regulation, and its degradation poses risks for ecosystems worldwide, including those in Asia. The increased frequency and intensity of wildfires underscore the urgency for international cooperation in addressing climate change and protecting vital natural resources.
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Fires in northern Amazon state threaten Brazil's Yanomami people
cgtn.com
