Wildfire Map Spotlight: South America Fire Surge

What is the name, location, and impact of the wildfires?

As of September 18, 2025, the South American Wildfires (mostly forest and crop burning) are spreading across the continent, with Brazil and Argentina hardest hit.

In Brazil, the Amazon, Pantanal, and cerrado regions recorded more than 68,000 fire alerts in early September, with 30.8 million hectares burned. Argentina is also experiencing severe blazes, with crop-residue burning in Cordoba’s central ranchlands and forest fires in Patagonia fueled by drought and heatwaves.

Eastern Brazil fire map on Sept 15, 2025. Source: IQAir.

These fires are generating vast smoke plumes containing PM2.5 and other pollutants, worsening air quality across major cities. Sparse air monitoring networks make real-time AQI tracking difficult.

Governments, NGOs, and indigenous brigades are expanding firefighting operations and satellite monitoring. However, hotspots and seasonal burnings persist. Community contributions, through low-cost air quality sensors and indoor air purifiers, remain critical for protection (1).

Which cities or areas are affected by the South American Wildfires?

The following regions have been severely affected:

Smoke plumes have degraded air quality in urban centers, putting millions at risk. In rural Córdoba, more than 40,000 hectares of ranchland have been lost, impacting agriculture (2).

What is the current containment status of the South American Wildfires?

The containment remains limited. Brazil reported 5,132 outbreaks in a single 24-hour period, accounting for 75% of South America’s fires, with emissions at their highest levels since 2003.

Argentina’s Patagonia fires have destroyed thousands of hectares, while Córdoba continues to burn under extreme drought. Brazil has declared an environmental emergency and deployed aircraft, but dry conditions are hampering containment efforts. Full control is not expected soon (3).