More than 490 firefighters in Brazil are working to extinguish wildfires in the Brasilia National Park conservation area, which have already consumed 2,000 hectares. The fires are believed to have been started by human activity and have been exacerbated by strong winds, low humidity, and high temperatures. The smoke from the fires has choked the capital city of Brasilia and other parts of the country, affecting air quality.
The wildfires in Brazil are part of a larger pattern of fires raging in the Amazon rainforest, the Cerrado savanna, and the Pantanal wetlands. The country is experiencing a historic drought, with 59 percent of the country affected and major rivers in the Amazon basin at record low levels. The government has authorized additional funds to combat forest fires and hire more firefighters.
Climate change is believed to be a factor in the extreme weather conditions that have led to the wildfires ravaging Brazil. Scientists warn that climate change makes events like wildfires and floods more likely, as it creates favorable conditions for such disasters to occur. The ongoing wildfires in Brazil highlight the urgent need for action to address climate change and protect the environment.
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