“Record-Breaking Fires in South America: Black Rain, Green Rivers, and Toxic Air”
South America is currently facing a dire situation as record-breaking fires have engulfed the continent, leading to unprecedented levels of air pollution, black rain, and green rivers. According to IQair, air pollution in the region is nearly 50 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended level.
From January 1 to September 16, South America has recorded 364,485 forest fires, surpassing the previous record set in 2007. The Brazilian Space Research Institute and Reuters provided data on this alarming increase in fires.
The historic drought in the Amazon has exacerbated the spread of fires, with human activity being a significant contributing factor. The drought has created favorable conditions for the rapid spread of fires, affecting 60% of Brazil’s territory with smoke.
The toxic cloud resulting from the fires now covers an area of 4 million square miles, including neighboring countries and the Atlantic Ocean, surpassing the size of the entire United States.
Experts like Alessandra Fidelis and Natalia Gil have noted a progressive decline in air quality across various cities in southern Brazil, northern Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and northeastern Uruguay. Black carbon, particulate matter, and gases like ozone, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide have significantly increased in these areas.
In cities like Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and others, residents have experienced poor visibility due to the dense smoke cloud and black rain. The Pinheiros River in São Paulo turned emerald green due to an algae bloom triggered by the severe drought.
Pathologist Paulo Saldiva compared the smoke from burning biomass to cigarette smoke, emphasizing the toxic substances present in both that can harm the body. The impact of prolonged exposure to smoke from forest fires is likened to continuously smoking cigarettes.
Environmental changes and shifts in land use have altered fire regimes significantly in recent decades. The average number of consecutive rainless days in Brazil has increased from 80 to 100 in the last decade, making forests more susceptible to burning.
Experts like Luis López-Mársico highlight the influence of rising temperatures, reduced rainfall, and increased carbon dioxide levels on the intensity and frequency of fires. Fidelis emphasizes that this situation is the “new normal” and underscores the urgent need to address climate change as a reality rather than a future scenario.