Revista Época
September 25, 2000

This year, according to the NOAA-12 satellite, the number of fires devastating the Amazon region was reduced by 25% in August, when compared to 1998 and 1999. The greatest reduction occurred in Mato Grosso, the state responsible for the highest number of total fires. The reduction is the result of a combined effort on the part of the federal and state governments, and NGOs such as Friends of the Earth, which launched a campaign aimed at educating farmers about alternatives to fire, and how to use fire with greater safety and control. Furthermore, the government made an effort to survey farmlands and fine those farmers using fire during the dry season. Error: Unable to read footer file.