Human Activity Behind the Unprecedented 2020 Wildfire in Brazilian Wetlands (Pantanal)

In 2020, the Pantanal—South America's largest wetland and a UNESCO World Heritage Site—experienced its worst wildfire on record, with unprecedented destruction across vast areas, including previously unburned conservation units. A study revealed that human activity, particularly proximity to roads, waterways, and railways, was a critical factor in 80% of fire outbreaks, concentrated within 10 km of these infrastructure elements. While drought conditions (measured by the SPEI index) also played a role, the rapid spread of fires suggests that human-induced factors, such as road expansion plans, significantly exacerbated the disaster. This finding underscores the urgent need for improved environmental surveillance and fire management in the Pantanal to mitigate future risks.

de Magalhães Neto, N., & Evangelista, H. (2022). Human Activity Behind the Unprecedented 2020 Wildfire in Brazilian Wetlands (Pantanal). Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.888578