Goiás wildfires cause R$ 710 million in agribusiness losses

Wildfires in Goiás, Brazil, have caused an estimated R$ 710 million in losses to the state's agribusiness sector. Data from the Mauro Borges Institute indicates that between January and August 2024, approximately 60% of burned areas were productive, totaling nearly 102,000 hectares. This represents a 40% increase in fires within production areas compared to the same period in 2023.

The State Secretariat for Environment and Sustainable Development (Semad) reported that 448,956 hectares were affected by fire throughout 2024, with 51.7% of that area linked to agricultural and livestock activities. Fernando Barnabé, president of the Association of Agronomists of Goiás (Aeago), noted that vegetation recovery is a costly and lengthy process, often taking approximately 20 years for reforestation to show results. He emphasized that the financial burden of recovery falls on landowners, even in cases of criminal arson.

In response to the dry season risks, the state government issued Decree No. 10,962, which suspends the use of fire in vegetation across the entire territory of Goiás until October 31. The government is urging the population to avoid using fire for cleaning lots or disposing of waste to prevent urban and rural fires. Beyond economic damage, the fires are impacting the Cerrado biome and public health, as smoke and soot increase respiratory issues, particularly among children and the elderly.