The relationship between forest fires and deforestation in the Amazon: phenomena are more closely related in rural settlements and in occupied public lands

The study finds that while forest fires in the Brazilian Amazon are not systematically used as a direct first step to clear vegetation—with only 11% of fire-affected areas being deforested within three years—they often serve as a leading indicator of imminent deforestation in the surrounding vicinity. This association is significantly stronger in rural settlements and occupied public lands, suggesting fires may facilitate land grabbing. Regionally, the link between fire and nearby deforestation has strengthened in states such as Acre, Amazonas, Pará, Rondônia, and Roraima, peaking in 2017.

• Between 2013 and 2020, approximately 42% of active fires in the Brazilian Amazon occurred in areas that had never been deforested, potentially affecting over 18,000 square kilometers of forest cover annually.
• Forest fires are not typically used as a systematic first step for removing vegetation, as only 11% of the forest area affected by fire was deforested within three years on average.
• While local conversion from fire to deforestation is low, fires often signal imminent risk for the surrounding area; for example, in 2017, the percentage of fire-affected areas with subsequent deforestation within 0.5 kilometers ranged from 20% to 50%.
• The association between forest fires and subsequent nearby deforestation is approximately 35% stronger in rural settlements and occupied public lands compared to other land tenure categories, suggesting fires may be used as a low-cost method for land grabbing.
• The link between fires and nearby deforestation has increased in recent years in several states, including Acre, Amazonas, Pará, Rondônia, and Roraima, with a peak in 2017.
• Pará and Mato Grosso are the states with the highest concentrations of both phenomena; between 2013 and 2020, Pará accounted for 33% of forest fires and 39% of deforested area, while Mato Grosso accounted for 18% and 23% respectively.

APA

Climate Policy Initiative (2021). The relationship between forest fires and deforestation in the Amazon: phenomena are more closely related in rural settlements and in occupied public lands. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/publication/the-relationship-between-forest-fires-and-deforestation-in-the-amazon-phenomena-are-more-closely-related-in-rural-settlements-and-in-occupied-public-lands/

Chicago

Climate Policy Initiative. The relationship between forest fires and deforestation in the Amazon: phenomena are more closely related in rural settlements and in occupied public lands. 2021. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/publication/the-relationship-between-forest-fires-and-deforestation-in-the-amazon-phenomena-are-more-closely-related-in-rural-settlements-and-in-occupied-public-lands/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Policy Initiative |title=The relationship between forest fires and deforestation in the Amazon: phenomena are more closely related in rural settlements and in occupied public lands |date=2 December 2021 |url=https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/publication/the-relationship-between-forest-fires-and-deforestation-in-the-amazon-phenomena-are-more-closely-related-in-rural-settlements-and-in-occupied-public-lands/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatepolicyinitiative2021relationship, author = {{Climate Policy Initiative}}, title = {{The relationship between forest fires and deforestation in the Amazon: phenomena are more closely related in rural settlements and in occupied public lands}}, institution = {Climate Policy Initiative}, year = {2021}, month = dec, url = {https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/publication/the-relationship-between-forest-fires-and-deforestation-in-the-amazon-phenomena-are-more-closely-related-in-rural-settlements-and-in-occupied-public-lands/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }