Govind Tekale
Dead wood burning in the Amazon is releasing dangerous levels of pollution into the air, threatening both local communities and global climate. Scientists have discovered that this slow-burning wood creates more harmful emissions than regular forest fires.
“The burning of dead wood produces significantly more carbon monoxide than other types of fires,” says Matthias Forkel from Dresden University of Technology, who led the research. His team found that in 2020, fires in the Amazon and nearby Cerrado grasslands burned through 372 million tonnes of wood, pumping 40 million tonnes of carbon monoxide into the air.
When wood burns slowly without flames, a process scientists call smouldering, it creates thick smoke filled with pollutants. This type of burning accounts for 75% of all wood burned in Amazon fires, making it a major threat to air quality.
The impact is already severe. In Manaus, a major city in the Amazon, recent air pollution levels ranked among the world’s worst, forcing schools to close and people to stay indoors. The smoke from these fires affects breathing, making everyday activities dangerous for millions of residents.
Stephen Plummer from the European Space Agency, which funded the study, points to a growing problem: “Deforestation and human-caused fires are becoming more frequent, making this woody debris pollution an increasing threat to public health.”
The research team used satellite images to track these fires and measure their pollution. By combining this data with ground measurements, they created a more accurate picture of how forest fires affect air quality. This new understanding shows that previous estimates of fire pollution in the Amazon were too low.
The findings published in Nature Geoscience challenge current views about forest fires. While visible flames often draw attention, it’s the slow-burning dead wood that poses a bigger threat to air quality and health. This discovery means current air pollution predictions need updating to better protect public health.
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Communities living near these fires face immediate risks. The smoke can trigger breathing problems and force people to change their daily routines. Even cities far from the fires can suffer when winds carry the pollution.
The research suggests practical solutions are needed. Better forest management could reduce the amount of dead wood available to burn. Early fire detection and improved firefighting strategies could help limit the spread of fires before they create severe pollution.
This study marks a turning point in understanding Amazon fires. By revealing the hidden danger of smouldering wood, it shows why protecting the Amazon matters for both local communities and global air quality.
