In the heart of the Amazon, where the dense canopy meets the sky, a complex dance of fire and foliage plays out, posing significant challenges for wildfire monitoring and combat. The vast, isolated, and culturally rich indigenous lands of the Amazon present a unique set of obstacles, from impenetrable tree cover to the presence of isolated communities and the ever-present cloud cover. Yet, a groundbreaking study led by Ananda Santa Rosa Andrade from the Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brazil, published in the journal *Biodiversidade Brasileira* (translated to *Brazilian Biodiversity*), is shedding light on innovative strategies to tackle this pressing issue.
The 2019 Roraima Verde Operation, detailed in Andrade’s research, employed a multi-stage methodology to monitor and combat wildfires in these challenging terrains. The operation involved evaluating active fire databases, collecting local geospatial data, defining information flow, training aerial staff and brigadists, generating burn surface estimations, and preparing strategic maps. This comprehensive approach aimed to avoid the diffusion of tasks, assist in making cost-effective decisions, and focus on areas with high socio-environmental vulnerability.
One of the most striking findings was the significant omission of active fires by current monitoring systems. Andrade noted, “The active fire products omitted approximately 61% of the flames detected by overflight.” This stark revelation underscores the limitations of existing monitoring systems and the critical need for more accurate and reliable methods.
The study highlighted the invaluable role of aerial monitoring and the use of mobile apps for georeferencing fires. Andrade explained, “The complementation of the information by aerial monitoring with the crews drastically reduced the problem of omission, with mapping burn lines, reports of the fire situation—active, controlled, or extinct—and photo registration.” This integration of technology and human effort proved to be a game-changer, providing a more comprehensive and accurate picture of the fire situation.
The daily systematization of combat conditions by the brigades and the leader of operations further aided in organizing the data, leading to more effective decision-making. Andrade’s research emphasizes the necessity of geotechnologies, such as softwares and mobile apps, to overcome the challenges posed by current Brazilian fire monitoring systems.
The implications of this research extend beyond the immediate context of wildfire management. For the energy sector, which often relies on accurate environmental data for planning and operations, these findings could be transformative. More precise monitoring and combat strategies could lead to better risk management, reduced operational costs, and enhanced sustainability efforts.
Looking ahead, Andrade envisions further improvements in the field. “The intention of these procedures was to avoid the diffusion of tasks, assist less expensive decisions, and focus on areas with high socio-environmental vulnerability,” she stated. The creation of mobile apps to assist data collection, integrated with monitoring systems and geodatabases, is expected to be a key development in the coming years.
As the world grapples with the increasing threats of wildfires, Andrade’s research offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for more effective and efficient fire management strategies. The integration of advanced technologies and human expertise could very well shape the future of wildfire combat, not just in the Amazon but globally.