The number of fire outbreaks in November 2021 was the lowest recorded for the period since 2018. According to data from the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe) released this Monday (6) by the Ministry of the Environment, they were 11,596 fires in the month this year, against 13,014 hot spots detected in November 2018.
The Amazon was the biome with the biggest drop in fires, according to the institute, with a 35% reduction. In November 2018, there were 8,881 outbreaks; in the same month in 2021, it rose to 5,779.
The numbers of fire outbreaks from January to November 2021 also show a reduction compared to the same period last year. According to data released by Inpe, the Pantanal region registered the most significant fall in fire outbreaks: 63% in the period.
Between January and November 2020, more than 21,000 fires were recorded in the biome. In the same period in 2021, the number dropped to just over 8,000, according to the institute.
The Ministry of the Environment attributes the result to the increase in funds destined to combat environmental crimes in Brazil. The folder’s budget this year went from BRL 228 million to 478 million, an increase of BRL 270 million.
“The positive results are the result of the Guardians of the Biome operation, which acted in an expressive way in the fight against fires in Brazilian biomes. The operation, coordinated by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, worked in an integrated manner with the Ministry of Environment and Regional Development, in addition to Ibama ICMBio”, the folder said in a statement.
According to the ministry, two notices were published for hiring 739 new civil servants who will expand the staff of Ibama and ICMBio inspectors.
“More than 17 thousand fires were fought and 1,100 animals were rescued. The action also seized 5 thousand m² of wood, 32 machines and imposed more than 1.5 thousand fines”, says the folder in a statement.
Amazon deforestation on the rise
Although the number of fires in November has decreased, deforestation in the Amazon this year reached 13,235 square kilometers between August 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021, an increase of 21.97% compared to last year .
The data collected by the Project for Monitoring Deforestation in the Legal Amazon by Satellite (Prodes) were released in a document on the federal government’s website on November 11th.
According to Environment Minister Joaquim Leite, the federal government has joined forces with the Ministry of Justice and Public Security to combat this practice. At a press conference in November, Leite highlighted that the performance began three months ago and, for this reason, according to him, it wouldn’t be working yet.
“The results have to show up in the numbers. The result of this action that started in the last 3 months has to start to reflect in the numbers, because it hasn’t appeared yet”, he said. “We are going to start executing the budget of more than millions for IBAMA and ICMBio to make them more modern.”
Reference: CNN Brasil
