Amazon rainforest wildfire area reaches historical low in 2025

According to the MapBiomas network report published on Tuesday, the Amazon rainforest experienced its smallest burned area in 2025 since systematic record-keeping began in 1985. Satellite data indicate that 3.1 million hectares were destroyed by fire, representing an 80.3% decrease compared to the 15.8 million hectares lost in 2024. Despite this improvement, the Amazon and the Cerrado biomes continue to account for 86% of all burned areas in Brazil since 1985. Researchers note that the Amazon is increasingly prone to frequent fires, with 31.6% of previously burned areas re-burning within two years. Expert Luiz Felipe Martenexen warns that such short intervals hinder forest recovery and lead to more intense degradation. While the 2024 surge was largely attributed to extreme drought and human activity, 2025 figures show a significant reversal. This environmental data is particularly relevant as President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva approaches re-election efforts. On a national scale, Brazil's total burned area fell to its lowest level since 2018.