Firefighters are currently battling a devastating wildfire that is spreading through Brasilia National Park in Brazil, enveloping the capital city of Brasilia in thick smoke. The fire, which has already consumed 700 hectares (1,700 acres) of the conservation area, is the latest in a series of wildfires plaguing the country, exacerbated by an unprecedented drought.
Over 90 firefighters are on the ground attempting to extinguish the flames, with support from military firefighting units and aircraft from neighboring national parks. The head of the government agency managing the park confirmed that the fire was human-caused and likely originated near a farm on the park's edge.
The smoke from the wildfire has blanketed Brasilia, with columns of black smoke visible from various parts of the city. This incident adds to the ongoing environmental crisis in Brazil, where wildfires have been raging in the Amazon rainforest, Cerrado savanna, and Pantanal wetlands, severely impacting air quality and destroying protected areas.
The country is currently facing its worst drought in over 70 years, affecting 59% of its territory and leading to historic low water levels in major rivers of the Amazon basin. Authorities have launched investigations into the cause of the Brasilia National Park fire, with a task force working to combat the blazes in the region.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has pledged to take action against those responsible for the environmental crimes, with plans to meet with the Environment Minister to address the climate emergency. Supreme Court Justice Flávio Dino has authorized additional funds to be allocated for firefighting efforts and forest fire prevention.
Scientists attribute the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, including wildfires and floods, to climate change driven by the burning of fossil fuels. The situation in Brazil underscores the urgent need for global action to mitigate the impacts of climate change and protect the environment.
