What Is 2019 fires in the Amazon

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 Amazon fires were a surge of wildfires across the Amazon rainforest, peaking in August with over 30,000 fire incidents recorded. Deforestation and agricultural burning were major contributors, sparking global concern over environmental destruction.

Key Facts

Over 72,843 fire outbreaks were detected in Brazil in 2019, the highest since 2013.
August 2019 saw a 84% increase in wildfires compared to August 2018.
The Amazon accounted for over 50% of Brazil's total fire incidents in 2019.
Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon rose by 85% from 2018 to 2019.
NASA and INPE used satellite data to track fire hotspots across eight Amazonian states.

Overview

The 2019 fires in the Amazon rainforest marked a significant environmental crisis, drawing international attention due to the scale and speed of forest destruction. Fueled by dry conditions and human activity, the fires peaked during August and September, coinciding with the region’s traditional dry season.

While wildfires occur annually in the Amazon, 2019 saw a dramatic spike in activity. Brazilian National Institute for Space Research (INPE) reported a record number of fire detections, with widespread smoke blanketing cities like São Paulo and impacting air quality thousands of miles away.

Record Fire Count: INPE detected over 72,843 fire outbreaks in Brazil in 2019, the highest number since comprehensive records began in 2013.
August Surge: There was an 84% increase in fire hotspots in August 2019 compared to the same month in 2018, signaling an alarming escalation.
Geographic Spread: Fires were concentrated in the Brazilian Amazon, particularly in states like Mato Grosso, Pará, and Rondônia, where deforestation is most aggressive.
Primary Cause: Most fires were intentionally set by farmers and loggers using slash-and-burn techniques to clear land for cattle pasture and soy cultivation.
Global Reaction: The crisis triggered international condemnation, with France and Germany leading calls for environmental accountability during the G7 summit.

Causes and Contributing Factors

The 2019 Amazon fires were not natural disasters but largely the result of human activity driven by economic and political factors. Below are key elements that contributed to the crisis.

Slash-and-Burn Agriculture: Farmers routinely use fire to clear forested land. In 2019, increased demand for farmland led to a spike in illegal burning across the Amazon basin.
Deforestation Policies: Under President Jair Bolsonaro, environmental enforcement weakened, and deforestation rose by 85% from 2018 to 2019, according to Brazil’s INPE data.
Dry Season Intensity: The Amazon’s dry season in 2019 was exacerbated by climate conditions, making vegetation more flammable and fires easier to spread.
Land Speculation: Illegal land grabbers set fires to claim public land, a practice known as grilagem, which surged under reduced federal oversight.
Forest Degradation: Even areas not fully cleared became more vulnerable due to logging and fragmentation, increasing fire susceptibility by over 30% in degraded zones.
Climate Feedback Loop: Burning releases carbon dioxide; the 2019 fires emitted an estimated 228 megatons of CO₂, accelerating climate change and future fire risks.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of Amazon fire data from 2018 and 2019 highlights the dramatic increase in environmental degradation.

Year	Total Fires in Brazil	Amazon-Specific Fires	Deforestation (km²)	Global Response
2018	41,000	~20,000	6,000	Minimal media coverage
2019	72,843	~37,000	10,170	G7 offered $20M in aid
2020	77,000	~39,000	10,850	Continued international pressure
2021	77,500	~40,000	13,235	UN climate negotiations focus
2022	65,000	~32,000	11,568	Increased enforcement under Lula

The table shows a clear upward trend in fire incidents and deforestation from 2018 to 2021, with 2019 marking a critical turning point in global awareness. Despite slight fluctuations, the Amazon has remained under severe pressure due to agricultural expansion and weakened environmental protections.

Why It Matters

The 2019 Amazon fires were a wake-up call about the fragility of one of Earth’s most vital ecosystems. The Amazon stores an estimated 86 billion tons of carbon and produces 6% of the world’s oxygen, making its preservation crucial for climate stability.

Biodiversity Loss: The Amazon is home to 10% of known species; fires threaten countless plants and animals with extinction.
Indigenous Communities: Over 300,000 Indigenous people live in the Amazon, many of whom faced displacement and health risks from smoke.
Climate Impact: The fires released massive amounts of CO₂, undermining global efforts to meet Paris Agreement targets.
Water Cycle Disruption: The Amazon generates its own rainfall; deforestation reduces precipitation, affecting agriculture across South America.
Economic Repercussions: International backlash led to trade scrutiny, with the EU considering bans on deforestation-linked products.
Policy Shifts: The crisis prompted renewed activism and funding pledges, such as the Amazon Fund’s revival in 2023.

The 2019 fires underscored the interconnectedness of environmental policy, economic development, and global climate health. Continued monitoring and international cooperation remain essential to protect the Amazon for future generations.