Wildfires are uncontrolled fires that occur in nature and can be caused by humans or intensified by adverse weather conditions.
The causes of wildfires are varied. Among the most common are human activities, such as land burning for agriculture and illegal logging, as well as adverse weather conditions, such as prolonged droughts and high temperatures. Long periods of drought, characterized by a lack of precipitation and soil moisture deficit, significantly affect the hydrological balance and increase evaporation. These conditions can be further aggravated by heatwaves, which intensify the overall impacts and elevate the risk of wildfires. Other factors, such as wind, vegetation, topography, and forest management practices, also contribute to this risk.
The combination of these various factors can increase both the frequency and intensity of wildfires. Additionally, besides climate change, the growing urbanization of rural areas also contributes to extending the wildfire season.
Situation in the Region of the Americas
Globally, these events are becoming more extreme in terms of hectares burned, duration, and intensity. In the Americas, there has been an increase in the frequency, severity, and duration of wildfires, which intensifies the need to understand their effects on public health. According to a recent report, in 2022, the population was exposed to average ambient temperatures 0.38°C higher than in the period 1986-2005. Paraguay experienced the highest anomaly (+1.9°C), followed by Argentina (+1.2°C) and Uruguay (+0.9°C). Additionally, between 2000-2009 and 2013-2022, there was a 140% increase in heat-related mortality.
2024 was particularly devastating due to the impact of the El Niño phenomenon, which has worsened drought in many regions, amplifying conditions that favor the spread of wildfires. Several South American countries experienced a notable increase in the intensity of fires during August and early September, due to prolonged drought characterized by a lack of rainfall and soil moisture deficit.
Access the daily Natural Hazards Monitoring reports for updates on extreme weather events in the region, including wildfires.