ASSESSING FIRE EXTENT IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY FORESTS IN RURAL PROPERTIES OF THE EASTERN AMAZON

The state of Pará has concentrated the greatest fire activity in the Brazilian Amazon in the last years, triggering negative impacts on forests. In this study, we assessed the burned area of primary and secondary forests in rural properties in the state in 2018. Primary forests were the most affected, representing almost 80% of the burned area, nearly 35,000 ha. Of this total, large properties concentrated 48%, about 17,000 ha or three times the area observed in small properties. More than 50% (5,713.6 ha) of the secondary burned forests showed ages between 5-20 years. We also found that 15% of secondary forests burned in 2018 could be illegal deforestation occurring after 2008. Considering the causes and origin of burning is fundamental to reducing fire impacts on the Amazon forest. Solutions need to include strengthening environmental enforcement to curb illegal deforestation and ensuring safe practices in using fire for subsistence activities.