queimadas

Queimadas is a Portuguese term that refers to the act of burning, including wildfires and agricultural burns. In Brazil, the word is also associated with a national fire-monitoring initiative operated by the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). The INPE Queimadas program collects satellite observations to detect active fires and burned areas across the country and provides near-real-time information for researchers, policymakers, and the public.

The monitoring system uses satellite sensors such as MODIS and VIIRS to identify hotspots and track burned areas. Data and products are made available through the Queimadas portal and related INPE platforms, offering maps, counts, and time series of fire activity. These resources are used for scientific research, fire management, and environmental policy, and are integrated with other INPE datasets that track deforestation and land use change.

Geographically, fire activity in Brazil is concentrated in the Amazon, the Cerrado, and the Pantanal, with seasonal peaks during the dry period. Risk is influenced by weather patterns and drought conditions, as well as human activities such as agricultural clearing and land management practices. While many fires originate from deliberate burning, natural factors and accidental ignitions also contribute.

Impacts of queimadas include effects on air quality and public health, loss of biodiversity, and contributions to greenhouse gas emissions. They frequently intersect with deforestation pressures, complicating conservation and land-use objectives. Management strategies emphasize monitoring and early detection, suppression where possible, and preventive measures such as reducing uncontrolled burning through policy, enforcement, and sustainable agricultural practices.