# Amazon fires rise 62% in October as deforestation falls to a record low

> Amazon fires surge 62% in October as deforestation hits record low.
- Title: Amazon fires rise 62% in October as deforestation falls to a…
- Summary: Amazon fires surge 62% in October as deforestation hits record low. Amazon fires rose 62% in October compared to last year as deforestation fell to a record…
- Keywords: amazon rainforest, deforestation, brazil, amazonas, manaus, el niño, lula, bolsonaro, federal environment agency, ibama, news, world
- Source: MercoPress — https://en.mercopress.com/2026/10/21/amazon-fires-rise-62-in-october-as-deforestation-falls-to-a-record-low
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: amazon rainforest, deforestation, brazil, amazonas, manaus, el niño, lula, bolsonaro, federal environment agency, ibama, news, world
## Amazon fires surge
Satellites detected 9,045 fire hotspots in the Brazilian Amazon in the first half of October, 62% more than in the same period last year, amid a drought aggravated by El Niño.
## Deforestation hits record low
Between August 2025 and July 2026, 3,355 square kilometres of the Amazon were deforested, 42% less than in the previous period and the lowest figure since 1988.
## Manaus smoke crisis
The capital of Amazonas state, home to more than two million people, has been covered in smoke for weeks with air quality among the worst in the world.
## Government response
The federal government deployed more than 300 firefighters and 11 aircraft to support the fire services.
## Key takeaway

Amazon fires rose 62% in October compared to last year as deforestation fell to a record low since 1988.