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Raging Fires Ravage Brazilian Amazon, Deforestation Surges
6 Nov
Summary
- "Red John" helps clear pastures but leaves scorched earth
- 2024 fires scorched nearly 18 million hectares of Amazon
- Deforestation declined but would have been lower without fires
The Brazilian Amazon is grappling with a persistent threat known as "Red John" – a worker who helps ranchers clear pastures using fire, leaving behind scorched earth and charred trees. This practice is deeply entrenched in the region's cowboy culture, with locals even nicknaming it "Joao Vermelho" (Red John).
In 2024, an unprecedented drought linked to climate change sent these fires blazing out of control, scorching nearly 18 million hectares (44.5 million acres) of the world's largest tropical forest. While deforestation has declined for the fourth straight year, the government admits the figure would have been much lower if not for these devastating wildfires.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has pledged to eradicate deforestation by 2030, but experts say solving the problem will require a cultural shift, stricter sanctions, and more firefighting resources. The municipality of Sao Felix do Xingu, which recorded the highest number of fire outbreaks in Brazil, is set to host the COP30 UN climate conference next week, underscoring the urgency of the crisis.
