Paraguay Battles Isolated Fire Incident Amidst Ongoing Deforestation Challenges

Paraguay Battles Isolated Fire Incident Amidst Ongoing Deforestation Challenges

In a recent incident on August 2, 2024, Paraguay faced a fire alert in the Amambay Department, reflecting the country's continuous struggle with environmental degradation. Over the years, Paraguay has experienced significant tree cover loss, with a net decrease of approximately 24.70%. The country, which spans over 39 million hectares, has seen its tree cover extent reduced to nearly 24.30 million hectares.

The historical data reveals that shifting agriculture is the predominant driver of tree cover loss, accounting for a substantial portion of the deforestation. Other contributing factors include forestry activities, wildfires, and urbanization. Notably, wildfires have been responsible for a smaller fraction of the tree cover loss compared to other drivers, yet they pose a significant threat to the remaining forest areas.