Effects of fire suppression policies on fire regimes in protected areas in the Cerrado.

In 2018, the Cerrado Protected Areas—Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks—experienced the smallest recorded area burned since the initiation of the PROMAQ monitoring program in 2010. Despite a rise in reported fire incidents, the total area affected by fires dropped significantly, attributed to improved detection using high-resolution PlanetScope imagery and increased firefighting efforts. The study highlights how advancements in remote sensing, combined with enhanced on-the-ground response (e.g., hiring 100 specialized firefighters), can mitigate fire impacts in protected areas. These findings underscore the dual role of technology and resource allocation in shaping fire regimes, offering a model for other conservation zones.

Simões Antonio, A. L., Ferreira, D., dos Santos Costa, E., De Lára Santos, A. M., & Silva de Oliveira, P. D. (2019). Uso das imagens PlanetScope no programa de monitoramento de áreas queimadas nos parques e unidades de conservação do IBRAM - PROMAQ. Biodiversidade Brasileira, 9(1), 200. https://doi.org/10.37002/biodiversidadebrasileira.v9i1.1143