2000 new fires have started in the Amazon, 48h after government burning ban

Despite of the Brazilian government’s most recent efforts to stop the deforestation of the region new fires continue to crop up in the Amazon forest.

According to a report the Brazilian National Space Research Institute (INPE) satellite data shows that in the 48 hours after the Brazilian government’s ban on burning, issued Thursday, there have been 3,859 new fire outbreaks, roughly 2,000 of which were in the Amazon.

The INPE also reported that of the 88,816 fires in Brazil this year, 51.9 percent occurred in the rainforest.

There was a global outrage over the fires raging in the Amazon.

Brazil, however, has pushed back against the reports, downplaying the news and denying help.

Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro said his country would accept US$20 million in aid from the G7, on the condition French President Emmanuel Macron apologised to him for calling him rude.

The majority of fires are set by farmers on purpose to make room for their crops and pastures. Meanwhile, indigenous people of the region have seen their land disappear at an alarming rate.