Burkina Faso faced a new fire incident on November 11, 2024, with a single alert reported in the Sahel Region. This incident adds to the environmental challenges the country has been facing over the years. Despite a vast area of over 27 million hectares, Burkina Faso's tree cover is minimal, with only 132 hectares accounted for. Over the past two decades, the country has experienced a significant fluctuation in tree cover loss due to shifting agriculture, which has been the primary driver of deforestation. While there have been gains in tree cover amounting to approximately 143,000 hectares, the losses have been greater, totaling around 152,000 hectares. This has resulted in a net loss of over 9,000 hectares, marking a negative change in the country's tree cover. The latest fire incident, although isolated, underscores the ongoing struggle to maintain and enhance Burkina Faso's natural environment in the face of persistent threats.
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