Wildfire Destroys 20% of Brasilia Forest, Arson Suspected

Firefighters have on Wednesday, 4th of September, 2024 succeeded in reducing the extent of a massive wildfire that blazed for two days and destroyed 20% of a forest in the Brazilian capital, cloaking the city in clouds of gray-white smoke.

According to officials, it may have been started by arsonists.

The National Forest of Brasilia is a conservation area that extends over 5,600 hectares of woodland that protects the springs that are the source of 70% of the city’s freshwater.

The fire broke out at the peak of the dry season when vegetation is parched and temperatures high allowing flames to spread fast.

“We have put out three of the four blazes and we hope to have the fire under control by the end of the day,” said Fabio dos Santos Miranda, who manages the forest.

“We are sure this was an environmental crime, but we haven’t confirmed if it was intentional or not,” he said in an interview, adding that three suspected arsonists were seen in the area where the fire started.