Brazil's Amazon Burned 3.1 Million Hectares in 2025, Down From 15.8 Million in 2024
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 21
Brazil's Amazon Burned 3.1 Million Hectares in 2025, Down From 15.8 Million in 2024
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 21
Summary
3.1 million hectares of Brazil's Amazon burned in 2025, MapBiomas said, the smallest area since its records began in 1985 after a record 15.8 million hectares burned in 2024.
Cooler La Niña conditions helped ease the extreme 2024 fire season, and MapBiomas said the drop was driven mainly by the lowest number of fires recorded in the Amazon in 41 years.
12.7 million hectares burned across Brazil in 2025, down from 30 million in 2024, showing the decline extended beyond the Amazon.
MapBiomas said the improvement does not yet prove a lasting trend, warning El Niño could lengthen this year's dry season and raise fire risk again.
The figures bolster President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's Amazon protection record ahead of October's election, though critics still fault his support for oil exploration near the Amazon mouth.
As a super El Niño looms, can Brazil's record fire budget prevent the Amazon from burning again?
Is Brazil's contradictory environmental policy pushing the Amazon towards its irreversible tipping point?
2025 Amazon Fire Reduction: Record Lows, Policy Wins, and the Road Ahead
Overview
In 2025, the Amazon biome saw a historic and dramatic reduction in forest fires, with record-low burned areas across several biomes. The Pantanal experienced the sharpest decline, reaching its lowest burned area ever, while the Caatinga was an exception with above-average fires. This turnaround was driven by improved governance, stronger policies, and better monitoring systems, leading to a substantial decrease in active-fire detections and burned area compared to previous years. These coordinated efforts highlight how effective policy and management can significantly reduce fire risks and protect the Amazon’s vital ecosystems.