Brazil: Number of forest fires in the Amazon increases sharply

Figures released by Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (Inpe) show that the number of fires in the country's Amazon rainforest in August rose to its highest level since 2010.

Late and less-than-normal rains last year, combined with a stronger El Nino weather pattern due to climate change, have left the Amazon rainforest vulnerable to wildfires this year.

Satellites detected 38,266 wildfire hotspots in the Amazon in August, double the number from last year and the highest level since 2010.

Previously, the number of forest fire hotspots in July also reached a two-decade high.

An initial assessment of August data suggests the fires were caused by a combination of weather, climate change and human action, according to WWF conservation expert Helga Correa.

HA TRANG