Record-Breaking Fires and Drought Ravage South America

Record-breaking fires and drought are ravaging South America. An unprecedented drought has contributed to the emergence of devastating wildfires that spread to large areas of wetlands and forests in its central region.

This is an astounding biodiversity area, encompassing Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia.

Critical areas

This year, the region between Uruguay, Parana, and Paraguay has been critically affected. According to UNSM or San Martin National University environmental politics researcher Elisabeth Mohle, the fires have drastically increased at a severe level of approximately 170 percent.

Mohle says the problem has affected many parts of the world, such as California; Australia; the Gran Chaco, the second-largest South American rainforest; and the Brazilian Amazonas.

READ: Amazon Fires in Pantanal Threaten Jaguars and Reserves

Extreme drought

The Pantanal is the most extensive wetlands in the world. It spans the countries of Paraguay, Bolivia, and Brazil. Now it is in a drought, the worst that has been seen in 47 years. Parana, one of the Earth's most powerful rivers, is currently at its lowest since 1970.

Parana comes from Brazil and drains into the estuary of Rio de la Plata. Last August, its level was only 80 centimeters as measured in Rosario in east Argentina, instead of its average level of three to four meters during this time of year. According to the Asuncion national weather center, the Paraguay river level is also the lowest it has been in 50 years.

The fires

The fires' intensity grows because of strong winds, high temperatures surpassing 40º C (or 104º F), the dry season, and the farmers' use of slash-and-burn methods for regenerating farmland soil.

According to Paraguay national weather center official Eduardo Mingo, his country's fires were at a record high from late September to early October. Authorities say that fires increased by 46% this year.

For weeks, thick fog coming from the fires permeated Asuncion in Paraguay and many municipalities in south Brazil and northeast Argentina.

The unusual lack of rain also severely affected the wetland areas. Charred remains of snakes, birds, trees, and caimans have been found.

One-fourth of the Pantanal's Brazilian portion has been devastated by the fires between January to September. Meanwhile, the Paraguayan portion has already been burning since last year.

The Parana River Delta has also been badly hit by the fires, leaving vast wetland areas charred to ashes. It is home to the Pampas cat and jaguars. Santa Fe, Argentina naturalist Cesar Massi says that wildlife such as reptiles, small mammals, tortoises, and migratory birds died. He says this year's fires are longer, more intense, and stronger.

Deforestation for agriculture

Slash-and-burn activities for agriculture worsened the fires. Greenpeace says that from March 15 to September 30, areas of north Argentina amounting to two times the size of Buenos Aires lost their trees.

According to the NGO Mighty Earth, Paraguay's dry forests are among the main areas of deforestation worldwide due to pasture expansion and soybean farms. According to the Argentinian government, cattle farmers set fires for pastureland clearing in the Parana River Delta area.

Less budget for environmental protection from the countries in the region will only worsen fires and drought in South America.