In Brazil’s Mato Grosso do Sul state, fishing guide Amilton Brandao walked through what should have been flooded land. Instead, he found it dried to a crisp due to the ravaging fires that were currently tearing through the region. The Pantanal wetlands, home to the region, were now resembling a desert, with fire everywhere and a wall of smoke in the distance.
Brandao was helping farmer Cleiton Jose save his cattle from the encroaching flames when he realized that the ranch was only accessible by boat. However, the area where the cattle were stranded could only be reached by horse due to the nature of the wetlands. Jose expressed his urgent need for Brandao to move them to a safer location before they were surrounded by the flames and their lives were at risk.
Satellite data from Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research showed a staggering 980% increase in the number of fires in the Pantanal compared to the same period last year. This raised concerns as the region entered its riskiest season for wildfires, which typically peaked in August and September.
Brandao reflected on the devastating flooding in Rio Grande do Sul as well. He felt deep sadness at witnessing such a sanctuary come to an end and so much life being lost to flames. The situation highlighted an urgent need for conservation efforts and measures to protect these precious environments from further destruction.
As Brandao helped Jose move his cattle safely away from danger, he couldn’t help but feel hopeful that these measures would help protect other vulnerable regions like this one.
