Story

An Overflowing Amazon That Burns (Portuguese)

September 09, 2019 | El Pais
By
Marcio Pimenta
About 40 kilometers from Rio Branco, the capital of Acre, fire quickly consumes all virgin forest and livestock areas. Between January 1 and August 22, 76,720 fire outbreaks were recorded, 85% more than in the same period of 2018 (when there were 41,400). Image by Marcio Pimenta. Brazil, 2019.

About 40 kilometers from Rio Branco, the capital of Acre, fire quickly consumes all virgin forest and livestock areas. Between January 1 and August 22, 76,720 fire outbreaks were recorded, 85% more than in the same period of 2018 (when there were 41,400). Image by Marcio Pimenta. Brazil, 2019.

The data is from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), which also points out that over 80 percent of the territory devoured by flames is in the Amazon. In Bujari, Acre, several fire outbreaks can be observed. Image by Marcio Pimenta. Brazil, 2019.

The data is from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), which also points out that over 80 percent of the territory devoured by flames is in the Amazon. In Bujari, Acre, several fire outbreaks can be observed. Image by Marcio Pimenta. Brazil, 2019.

On a farm, cattle are surrounded by the heat of the fire in Acre. Image by Marcio Pimenta. Brazil, 2019.

On a farm, cattle are surrounded by the heat of the fire in Acre. Image by Marcio Pimenta. Brazil, 2019.

In the state of Amazonas, bordering Acre, fire also consumed part of the Antimary State Forest Project area, the first state-run public forest in operation, where sustainable management activities take place. The light rain that occurred last week in Acre helped prevent more natural forest from being consumed by fire. Image by Marcio Pimenta. Brazil, 2019.

In the state of Amazonas, bordering Acre, fire also consumed part of the Antimary State Forest Project area, the first state-run public forest in operation, where sustainable management activities take place. The light rain that occurred last week in Acre helped prevent more natural forest from being consumed by fire. Image by Marcio Pimenta. Brazil, 2019.

Area in Acre where there has been deforestation and burning. A survey of the InfoAmazonia website, based on public data, indicates that among the ten municipalities with the most fires in the country, seven are among those that also suffered most from previous deforestation. Image by Marcio Pimenta. Brazil, 2019.

Area in Acre where there has been deforestation and burning. A survey of the InfoAmazonia website, based on public data, indicates that among the ten municipalities with the most fires in the country, seven are among those that also suffered most from previous deforestation. Image by Marcio Pimenta. Brazil, 2019.

Another area devastated by the fires of recent weeks in Acre. Image by Marcio Pimenta. Brazil, 2019.

Another area devastated by the fires of recent weeks in Acre. Image by Marcio Pimenta. Brazil, 2019.

The contrast between a cattle ranch and virgin forest area in Acre. Image by Marcio Pimenta. Brazil, 2019.

The contrast between a cattle ranch and virgin forest area in Acre. Image by Marcio Pimenta. Brazil, 2019.

Preserved area of ​​the Amazon in Acre. Image by Marcio Pimenta. Brazil, 2019.

Preserved area of ​​the Amazon in Acre. Image by Marcio Pimenta. Brazil, 2019.

After the fires, people take advantage of the harvesting of the firewood near their homes in Bujari, Acre. Image by Marcio Pimenta. Brazil, 2019.

After the fires, people take advantage of the harvesting of the firewood near their homes in Bujari, Acre. Image by Marcio Pimenta. Brazil, 2019.

A squatter takes a small cut of wood from a tree felled by a fire in Bujari, Acre. Image by Marcio Pimenta. Brazil, 2019.

A squatter takes a small cut of wood from a tree felled by a fire in Bujari, Acre. Image by Marcio Pimenta. Brazil, 2019.

This Saturday, El País, with the support of the Rainforest Journalist Fund and the Pulitzer Center, flew over areas of Acre and southern Amazonas. In the region, the pressure on the forest is clear: besides the fire, the forest shares space with the cattle.

View the story in Portuguese on the El País website.