Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1823
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1823
05 May 2025
 | 05 May 2025

Extensive fire-driven degradation in 2024 marks worst Amazon forest disturbance in over two decades

Clément Bourgoin, René Beuchle, Alfredo Branco, João Carreiras, Guido Ceccherini, Duarte Oom, Jesus San-Miguel-Ayanz, and Fernando Sedano

Abstract. The Amazon rainforest, historically fire-resistant, is experiencing an alarming increase in wildfires due to climate extremes and human activity. The 2023/2024 drought, surpassing previous records, combined with forest fragmentation, has dramatically heightened fire vulnerability. Analysing the Tropical Moist Forest (TMF) and Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS) datasets, we found a 152 % surge in forest disturbances in 2024, reaching a two-decade peak of 6.64 million hectares. Forest degradation, particularly large-scale degradation linked to fires, increased by over 400 %, largely exceeding deforestation. Brazil and Bolivia experienced the most severe impacts, with Bolivia seeing 9 % of its intact forest burned in 2024. Pan-Amazon fire-driven forest degradation released 643 million tons of CO2 in 2024, a seven-fold increase from the previous two years. The escalating fire occurrence, driven by climate change and unsustainable land use, threatens to push the Amazon towards a catastrophic tipping point. Urgent, coordinated efforts are crucial to mitigate these drivers and prevent irreversible ecosystem damage.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this paper. While Copernicus Publications makes every effort to include appropriate place names, the final responsibility lies with the authors. Views expressed in the text are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
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Clément Bourgoin, René Beuchle, Alfredo Branco, João Carreiras, Guido Ceccherini, Duarte Oom, Jesus San-Miguel-Ayanz, and Fernando Sedano

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1823', Anonymous Referee #1, 05 Jun 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Clement Bourgoin, 07 Jul 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1823', Anonymous Referee #2, 05 Jun 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Clement Bourgoin, 07 Jul 2025

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1823', Anonymous Referee #1, 05 Jun 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Clement Bourgoin, 07 Jul 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1823', Anonymous Referee #2, 05 Jun 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Clement Bourgoin, 07 Jul 2025
Clément Bourgoin, René Beuchle, Alfredo Branco, João Carreiras, Guido Ceccherini, Duarte Oom, Jesus San-Miguel-Ayanz, and Fernando Sedano
Clément Bourgoin, René Beuchle, Alfredo Branco, João Carreiras, Guido Ceccherini, Duarte Oom, Jesus San-Miguel-Ayanz, and Fernando Sedano

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Short summary
The Amazon forest faces increasing fires due to drier climate and human actions. In 2024, disturbances surged by 152 %, hitting a 20-year high. Forest damage from fires grew over 400 %, exceeding deforestation. Brazil and Bolivia were hit hardest. These fires released huge amounts of CO2, seven times more than before, pushing the Amazon towards a dangerous point. Urgent action is needed to prevent irreversible harm.
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