2024 Fires in the Southern Hemisphere

Whether sparked by lightning, intentional land-clearing, or human-caused accidents, wildland fires are burning longer and more often in some southern latitudes as the world warms.
Smoke Fills South American Skies
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Smoke Fills South American Skies

Drought has amplified fire activity across the continent, contributing to exceptionally high carbon emissions in Bolivia and Brazil.

Published Sep 6, 2024

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Fires

Fires Rage Along Brazil’s Deforestation Frontier
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Fires Rage Along Brazil’s Deforestation Frontier

Dense smoke streamed from rainforests in Amazonas and Pará.

Published Aug 9, 2024

Image of the Day Atmosphere Fires

Early Fires in Brazil’s Pantanal
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Early Fires in Brazil’s Pantanal

Drought helped spread intense, early-season blazes in one of the world’s largest wetlands.

Published Jun 12, 2024

Image of the Day Atmosphere Heat Land Fires

Smoke Blankets Venezuela
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Smoke Blankets Venezuela

Drought and heat have fueled unusually high numbers of fires in the South American country during the first three months of 2024. 

Published Mar 28, 2024

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Fires

Inferno Scars Valparaíso
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Inferno Scars Valparaíso

Heat, drought, and winds fueled wildland fires that raged into parts of Viña del Mar and Quilpué.

Published Feb 9, 2024

Image of the Day Fires Human Presence

Fires Rage in Central Chile
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Fires Rage in Central Chile

Fueled by a summer heatwave, the blazes scorched entire neighborhoods in the city of Viña del Mar.

Published Feb 5, 2024

Image of the Day Atmosphere Land Fires

Fire Chars Pringle Bay
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Fire Chars Pringle Bay

Hot, windy weather has fueled outbreaks of fire in South Africa’s Western Cape.

Published Feb 1, 2024

Image of the Day Land Fires Human Presence Remote Sensing