During the winter, a warning sign emerges in the sugar and ethanol industry. The period, marked by drier weather and scarce rain, tends to facilitate one of the most important causes of environmental destruction in the planet: Forest fires. Low air humidity, soot flying and invading the field and urban centers, devastation of fauna and flora from different biomes.  These are only some of the consequences we observe, many times due to human behavior irresponsibility. After all, few people believe that an apparently harmless cigarette butt can trigger large fires.

When we look at the Brazil map, we notice that fire outbreaks are concentrated, in large part, in the central area of our territory, covering important regions for the sugarcane industry in Mid-West and Oeste Paulista region. According to data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), this year, from January to July, São Paulo, Goiás, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul states recorded over 12 thousand fires, a level similar to that recorded in the same period of 2021.

On the other hand, compared to the first seven months of 2020, year when the country reached the sad record of 65 thousand outbreaks in total, we notice 25% fall against the amount of occurrences in the period. We move on with optimism seeking to reduce even more this problem that demands immediate and perennial actions.

In this context, the sugar and ethanol sector has united forces to prevent and fight fire in their main operation regions. In addition to dedicating fleets and trained professional, prepared in the communities surrounding the agro-industrial units, like firefighters and first responders, the industry also acts strongly in Emergency Mutual Assistance   Plans (PAMEs) – groups created by companies, governments and communities to assist, in an integrated way, in fire emergency services.

In the last year, we have observed intensification of investments in equipment with cutting edge technology and innovative systems, fundamental to prevent fires. Some examples are the implementation of 100% mechanized harvest; use of laser thermometers to measure harvesters’ temperature to avoid any sign of flame started, and digital devices specific to measure factors like air humidity, temperature, and wind speed, so as to interrupt activities in cane fields in case of adverse conditions, in addition to the adoption of strict policies prohibiting the use of fire, for any reason, in the field.

As to the prevention aspect, the private sector joins municipal, state and federal spheres to disseminate informative content on the theme to the population, in places like schools, hospitals, residents’ associations, and other institutions. This work contemplates distribution of booklets, educational fliers with contacts of relevant authorities like Civil Defense (199) and Fire Department (193), and exhibition of educational audiovisual materials reinforcing the importance of the individual attitude to contribute to the safety of communities and preservation of the ecosystems.

We move on firm in our purpose, hoping that, by the end of 2022, the number of occurrences will keep on decreasing based on higher engagement of all agribusiness chains, public authorities, and the population in the defense of the environment.

Dario Gaeta is Atvos’ Agro-industry Operations’ Executive Director