More than 74,000 fires have been recorded in the Brazilian Amazon this year. Here's why that's a big deal.

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More than 74,000 fires have been recorded in the Brazilian Amazon this year. Here's why that's a big deal.
  • As of August 20, more than 74,000 fires have been recorded across the Brazilian Amazon.
  • That's nearly double the total number of fires in 2018.
  • Environmental groups blame Brazil's president, Jair Bolsonaro, who has indicated that protecting the rainforest is not a priority.
  • They say Bolsonaro has emboldened ranchers and farmers to set fire to forests to acquire more land, now with impunity.
  • Scientists warn that the results may be devastating. They say the Amazon is near a tipping point, beyond which the forest could turn into a dry savannah.
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