The world has lost nearly 100 million hectares of forests in two decades, marking a steady decline though at a slower pace than before, a UN agency reported Tuesday.

The proportion of forest to total land area fell from 31.9 per cent in 2000 to 31.2 percent in 2020, now some 4.1 billion hectares, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation. &nbsp;

It marks "a net loss of almost 100 million hectares of the world’s forests," the FAO said.

Deforestation has hit particularly hard sub-Saharan Africa and southeast Asia, where it has accelerated in the last decade, but also Latin and Central America, where it has nonetheless slowed down.

Forests are being cut down mainly to make way for crops or farm animals, especially in less developed countries.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-pushes-37-million-people-into-extreme-poverty-gates-foundation-327805">Also read|&nbsp;Coronavirus pushes 37 million people into extreme poverty: Gates Foundation</a>

In southeast Asia, forest now covers 47.8 per cent of the land compared to 49 per cent in 2015. In sub-Saharan Africa, it covers 27.8 per cent compared to 28.7 per cent five years ago.

In Indonesia, it is 50.9 per cent, down from 52.5 per cent. In Malaysia, it is 58.2 per cent, down from 59.2 per cent five years ago.

A country strongly focused on agriculture like the Ivory Coast has seen forests reduced to 8.9 percent of the total land area from 10.7 percent in &nbsp;2015. Kenya, Mali and Rwanda have largely held firm against forest loss.

In Latin and Central America, forest covers only 46.7 percent of the total land, compared to 47.4 per cent five years ago.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-where-do-trump-and-biden-stand-on-climate-change-327786">Also read|&nbsp;US Election 2020: Where do Trump and Biden stand on climate change?</a>

In Brazil, forests declined to 59.4 per cent of the country's territory in 2020 from 60.3 per cent in 2015. In Haiti, deforestation has continued apace — falling to 12.6 percent of the total land area from 13.2 per cent in 2015.

In contrast, in many parts of Asia, Europe and North America forest area has increased or stayed the same in the last five years with policies to restore woodland and allow forests to expand naturally.

In China, forests make up 23.3 per cent, up from 22.3 per cent in 2015. In Japan, they account for 68.4 per cent, the same as it was five years ago.

In France, forests cover 31.5 per cent of the land in 2020, up from 30.7 per cent in 2015. In Italy, they make up 32.5 per cent of the national territory, up from 31.6 five years ago.

In Britain, they make up 13.2 per cent, up from 13 percent five years ago.&nbsp;

In Canada, it is unchanged at 38.2 per cent, and in the United States, unchanged at 33.9 percent.

In Australia the figure rose from 17.3 to 17.4 per cent and in New Zealand from 37.4 per cent to 37.6 per cent over the five years.

The world has lost nearly 100 million hectares of forests in two decades, marking a steady decline though at a slower pace than before, a UN agency reported Tuesday.

The world has lost nearly 100 million hectares of forests in two decades, marking a steady decline though at a slower pace than before, a UN agency reported Tuesday. The proportion of forest to total land area fell from 31.9 per cent in 2000 to 31.2 percent in 2020, now some 4.1 billion hectares, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation. It marks "a net loss of almost 100 million hectares of the world’s forests," the FAO said. Deforestation has hit particularly hard sub-Saharan Africa and southeast Asia, where it has accelerated in the last decade, but also Latin and Central America, where it has nonetheless slowed down. Forests are being cut down mainly to make way for crops or farm animals, especially in less developed countries. Also read| Coronavirus pushes 37 million people into extreme poverty: Gates Foundation In southeast Asia, forest now covers 47.8 per cent of the land compared to 49 per cent in 2015. In sub-Saharan Africa, it covers 27.8 per cent compared to 28.7 per cent five years ago. In Indonesia, it is 50.9 per cent, down from 52.5 per cent. In Malaysia, it is 58.2 per cent, down from 59.2 per cent five years ago. A country strongly focused on agriculture like the Ivory Coast has seen forests reduced to 8.9 percent of the total land area from 10.7 percent in 2015. Kenya, Mali and Rwanda have largely held firm against forest loss. In Latin and Central America, forest covers only 46.7 percent of the total land, compared to 47.4 per cent five years ago. Also read| US Election 2020: Where do Trump and Biden stand on climate change? In Brazil, forests declined to 59.4 per cent of the country's territory in 2020 from 60.3 per cent in 2015. In Haiti, deforestation has continued apace — falling to 12.6 percent of the total land area from 13.2 per cent in 2015. In contrast, in many parts of Asia, Europe and North America forest area has increased or stayed the same in the last five years with policies to restore woodland and allow forests to expand naturally. In China, forests make up 23.3 per cent, up from 22.3 per cent in 2015. In Japan, they account for 68.4 per cent, the same as it was five years ago. In France, forests cover 31.5 per cent of the land in 2020, up from 30.7 per cent in 2015. In Italy, they make up 32.5 per cent of the national territory, up from 31.6 five years ago. In Britain, they make up 13.2 per cent, up from 13 percent five years ago. In Canada, it is unchanged at 38.2 per cent, and in the United States, unchanged at 33.9 percent. In Australia the figure rose from 17.3 to 17.4 per cent and in New Zealand from 37.4 per cent to 37.6 per cent over the five years.

World lost 100 million hectares of forest in two decades: UN

Record-breaking Arctic heat leaves Siberia 'red-faced'

Under a cloth tent on South Australia's Kangaroo Island, vet Lauren Eyre scraps burnt skin off a koala's paws on Sunday (January 19) as bushfires on the island continue to see the iconic marsupials arrive into the triage unit.

Australia's koalas treated for burns on Kangaroo island

Sitting on the fringe of blackened forests, an Australian town Kangaroo Valley narrowly escaped the inferno that swollen its surrounding areas early this month. But for restaurant owner, Monique Moul, surviving the deadly bushfires is the beginning of another trouble as she struggles to salvage the business.

Businesses in Australian town hopes receded bushfires will draw tourists back

California firefighters aided by subsiding winds took the offensive on Friday against two <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-wildfires-rage-in-california-about-50000-get-evacuated-258037">major wildfires</a> at opposite ends of the state, one displacing 50,000 suburban Los Angeles residents and another roaring through Sonoma County's famed wine country.

Governor Gavin Newsom declared an emergency for both blazes, which erupted hours apart amid fierce winds this week that put emergency managers on high alert and prompted utilities to impose wide-scale power outages to curtail wildfire risks.

No injuries have been reported from either the Kincade fire in Sonoma County, about 130 km&nbsp;north of San Francisco or the Tick fire in the Santa Clarita Valley about 65 km&nbsp;north of Los Angeles.

But the two blazes, the worst of several large wildfires across the state this week, have destroyed dozens of homes and other structures while prompting air-quality alerts in parts of Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area.

The dry, hot desert winds, gusting to 112 kph, gave way to light breezes on Thursday night, slowing the fires' advance and presenting crews with a chance to make significant headway against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tens-of-thousands-evacuated-as-california-wildfires-rage-255379">the flames</a>.

The lull was expected to be short-lived. Forecasts called for heavy winds to return late on Saturday and persist through the weekend, leaving fire crews a narrow window to tamp down the blazes in Los Angeles and Sonoma counties.

Power companies, led by the state's largest investor-owned utility, Pacific Gas and Electric Co, also were bracing for a renewal of gale-force winds.

Even as PG&amp;E worked to restore electricity to nearly 200,000 homes and businesses switched off ahead of this week's earlier bout of severe winds, the utility announced plans for a new round of precautionary blackouts expected to leave 850,000 customers without power across 36 counties in northern and central California.

The utility cited weather data showing the expected windstorm "could be the most powerful in California in decades."

Adding to PG&amp;E's difficulties, the utility acknowledged on Thursday that the Kincade fire, which forced the evacuation of 2,000 people in Sonoma County after erupting on Wednesday night, began near the base of a damaged high-voltage transmission tower the utility owns.

Lights on and off

A power shutdown of that scale, affecting millions of people, would surpass even the record outage imposed by PG&amp;E on some 730,000 of its customers in anticipation of a previous windstorm two weeks ago.

That precautionary blackout drew sharp criticism from the governor and regulators as being too widespread as well as poorly managed and communicated to the public.

Newsom has said PG&amp;E is largely to blame for its own predicament, arguing corporate greed and mismanagement kept the utility from upgrading its infrastructure while wildfire hazards have steadily worsened over the past decade, a function of climate change.

PG&amp;E, which filed for bankruptcy in January citing billions of dollars in civil liabilities from deadly wildfires sparked by its equipment in 2017 and 2018, says it has since remedied problems experienced with its website and customer call centre.

It has also arranged for extra personnel from affiliated energy companies and the state to assist with the spot inspections required of its de-energised power lines before electricity that has been turned off is allowed to be restored, the company said.

By Friday, the Kincade fire had charred nearly 8,900 hectares&nbsp;in a wine-growing region whose better-known vintners include "The Godfather" director Francis Ford Coppola, and destroyed at least 49 dwellings and other structures, officials said.

Evacuation orders included the entire town of Geyserville, an historic enclave that is home to about 900 residents and is named for geothermal features in the vicinity.

Fire crews, backed by helicopters and aeroplane tankers dumping loads of water and flame-retardant on the blaze, had managed to carve containment lines around just 5 per cent&nbsp;of the blaze as of Friday.

Hundreds of miles to the south, crews battled to suppress the Tick fire, which erupted on Thursday and by Friday had scorched 4,300 acres&nbsp;and was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/firefighters-battle-southern-california-wildfires-100000-evacuated-255548">threatening 15,000 homes</a> and businesses, officials said.

An estimated 50,000 people were displaced by evacuation orders in and around Santa Clarita. Poor air quality from thick smoke drifting south prompted the Los Angeles School District to cancel classes for all students in the San Fernando Valley.

"Scary, crazy. We've lived here 37 years and never had to evacuate. So, you know, you always hear about it, you always think, maybe this time. But, yeah, this is the first time," evacuee Terri Egar said.

The fire has destroyed at least six structures, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby said, adding that figure was expected to rise.

"This is the largest evacuation that we've had in Santa Clarita," Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger told a news conference.

California firefighters aided by subsiding winds took the offensive on Friday against two major wildfires at opposite ends of the state, one displacing 50,000 suburban Los Angeles residents and another roaring through Sonoma County's famed wine country.

California firefighters aided by subsiding winds took the offensive on Friday against two major wildfires at opposite ends of the state, one displacing 50,000 suburban Los Angeles residents and another roaring through Sonoma County's famed wine country. Governor Gavin Newsom declared an emergency for both blazes, which erupted hours apart amid fierce winds this week that put emergency managers on high alert and prompted utilities to impose wide-scale power outages to curtail wildfire risks. No injuries have been reported from either the Kincade fire in Sonoma County, about 130 km north of San Francisco or the Tick fire in the Santa Clarita Valley about 65 km north of Los Angeles. But the two blazes, the worst of several large wildfires across the state this week, have destroyed dozens of homes and other structures while prompting air-quality alerts in parts of Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area. The dry, hot desert winds, gusting to 112 kph, gave way to light breezes on Thursday night, slowing the fires' advance and presenting crews with a chance to make significant headway against the flames. The lull was expected to be short-lived. Forecasts called for heavy winds to return late on Saturday and persist through the weekend, leaving fire crews a narrow window to tamp down the blazes in Los Angeles and Sonoma counties. Power companies, led by the state's largest investor-owned utility, Pacific Gas and Electric Co, also were bracing for a renewal of gale-force winds. Even as PG&E worked to restore electricity to nearly 200,000 homes and businesses switched off ahead of this week's earlier bout of severe winds, the utility announced plans for a new round of precautionary blackouts expected to leave 850,000 customers without power across 36 counties in northern and central California. The utility cited weather data showing the expected windstorm "could be the most powerful in California in decades." Adding to PG&E's difficulties, the utility acknowledged on Thursday that the Kincade fire, which forced the evacuation of 2,000 people in Sonoma County after erupting on Wednesday night, began near the base of a damaged high-voltage transmission tower the utility owns. Lights on and off A power shutdown of that scale, affecting millions of people, would surpass even the record outage imposed by PG&E on some 730,000 of its customers in anticipation of a previous windstorm two weeks ago. That precautionary blackout drew sharp criticism from the governor and regulators as being too widespread as well as poorly managed and communicated to the public. Newsom has said PG&E is largely to blame for its own predicament, arguing corporate greed and mismanagement kept the utility from upgrading its infrastructure while wildfire hazards have steadily worsened over the past decade, a function of climate change. PG&E, which filed for bankruptcy in January citing billions of dollars in civil liabilities from deadly wildfires sparked by its equipment in 2017 and 2018, says it has since remedied problems experienced with its website and customer call centre. It has also arranged for extra personnel from affiliated energy companies and the state to assist with the spot inspections required of its de-energised power lines before electricity that has been turned off is allowed to be restored, the company said. By Friday, the Kincade fire had charred nearly 8,900 hectares in a wine-growing region whose better-known vintners include "The Godfather" director Francis Ford Coppola, and destroyed at least 49 dwellings and other structures, officials said. Evacuation orders included the entire town of Geyserville, an historic enclave that is home to about 900 residents and is named for geothermal features in the vicinity. Fire crews, backed by helicopters and aeroplane tankers dumping loads of water and flame-retardant on the blaze, had managed to carve containment lines around just 5 per cent of the blaze as of Friday. Hundreds of miles to the south, crews battled to suppress the Tick fire, which erupted on Thursday and by Friday had scorched 4,300 acres and was threatening 15,000 homes and businesses, officials said. An estimated 50,000 people were displaced by evacuation orders in and around Santa Clarita. Poor air quality from thick smoke drifting south prompted the Los Angeles School District to cancel classes for all students in the San Fernando Valley. "Scary, crazy. We've lived here 37 years and never had to evacuate. So, you know, you always hear about it, you always think, maybe this time. But, yeah, this is the first time," evacuee Terri Egar said. The fire has destroyed at least six structures, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby said, adding that figure was expected to rise. "This is the largest evacuation that we've had in Santa Clarita," Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger told a news conference.

California firefighters tackle blazes in suburbs of Los Angeles

On Wednesday (September 25), smoke filled the air in Santa Elena, choking the few remaining residents that haven't yet evacuated in an effort to hold on to the homes they desperately hope won't be destroyed as blazes sweep through the area.

Bolivians flee as fires engulf forests

Indonesian police officer, Toha, who goes by one name, has been putting out forest fires since 2015. This year, with the return of hot spots in Kalimantan, he has had a hectic schedule, running around with just a face mask on, carrying buckets of water and directing his colleagues to hose down areas burning.

'My soul's calling': Indonesian police officer tirelessly puts out haze-causing fires

Rapid&nbsp;international&nbsp;cooperation&nbsp;is required in order to avoid the irreversible&nbsp;impacts&nbsp;brought about by&nbsp;global&nbsp;warming, according to officials from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as they explained their latest report at a press briefing in Geneva on Monday.

According to the newly released&nbsp;WMO&nbsp;report entitled "The&nbsp;Global&nbsp;Climate in 2015-2019", the past five-year period has been the warmest half-decade on record.

It says the average&nbsp;global&nbsp;temperature has increased by 1.1 degrees Celsius since the pre-industrial period and has risen by 0.2 degrees Celsius compared to the period between 2011 and 2015.

The report also shows that sea level rises, long-term and large-scale heat waves, as well as massive forest fires, have become even more extreme during the past five years.

The scientific community has largely come to the realization that the world is now at a dangerous climate tipping point.

The report also points out that extreme weather has had an increasingly severe impact on social and economic development and the natural environment.

It concludes that the&nbsp;international&nbsp;society must conduct fundamental social and economic transitions quickly in areas such as land utilization and energy, so as to avoid possible irreversible&nbsp;impacts&nbsp;brought by&nbsp;global&nbsp;warming.

"There is also an emerging trend in using renewable energy. I think in China, for instance, they have built a very powerful plan to transit into renewable energy using wind energy for instance. I think there are some encouraging signs here. The only problem we have is we have to act very soon and very rapidly, because it's now not a problem of actions, it's a problem of the timing. We need to do that as fast as possible," said Omar Baddour, a senior scientific officer with the&nbsp;WMO.

The report stresses that a&nbsp;global&nbsp;temperature rise exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius will be inevitable if no immediate actions are taken to improve Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC), measures which must be made to combat the crisis.

The report was submitted to the UN Climate Action Summit, which opened at United Nations headquarters in New York on Monday.

"The intention of the climate summit and the UN Secretary-General has been very much leading in this regard is to try to encourage much more rapid adoption of the measures that are&nbsp;needed&nbsp;to reduce the emissions," said Maxx Dilley, director of the&nbsp;WMO's Climate Prediction and Adaptation branch.

Rapid international cooperation is required in order to avoid the irreversible impacts brought about by global warming, according to officials from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as they explained their latest report at a press briefing in Geneva on Monday.

Rapid international cooperation is required in order to avoid the irreversible impacts brought about by global warming, according to officials from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as they explained their latest report at a press briefing in Geneva on Monday. According to the newly released WMO report entitled "The Global Climate in 2015-2019", the past five-year period has been the warmest half-decade on record. It says the average global temperature has increased by 1.1 degrees Celsius since the pre-industrial period and has risen by 0.2 degrees Celsius compared to the period between 2011 and 2015. The report also shows that sea level rises, long-term and large-scale heat waves, as well as massive forest fires, have become even more extreme during the past five years. The scientific community has largely come to the realization that the world is now at a dangerous climate tipping point. The report also points out that extreme weather has had an increasingly severe impact on social and economic development and the natural environment. It concludes that the international society must conduct fundamental social and economic transitions quickly in areas such as land utilization and energy, so as to avoid possible irreversible impacts brought by global warming. "There is also an emerging trend in using renewable energy. I think in China, for instance, they have built a very powerful plan to transit into renewable energy using wind energy for instance. I think there are some encouraging signs here. The only problem we have is we have to act very soon and very rapidly, because it's now not a problem of actions, it's a problem of the timing. We need to do that as fast as possible," said Omar Baddour, a senior scientific officer with the WMO. The report stresses that a global temperature rise exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius will be inevitable if no immediate actions are taken to improve Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC), measures which must be made to combat the crisis. The report was submitted to the UN Climate Action Summit, which opened at United Nations headquarters in New York on Monday. "The intention of the climate summit and the UN Secretary-General has been very much leading in this regard is to try to encourage much more rapid adoption of the measures that are needed to reduce the emissions," said Maxx Dilley, director of the WMO's Climate Prediction and Adaptation branch.

Urgent international cooperation needed to address global warming impacts: WMO

Smoke from forest fire turns skies red in Indonesia

While smoke from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-forest-fires-surge-stoking-global-warming-fears-249212">forest fires</a> in Indonesia often simply obscures visibility with a choking haze, parts of Sumatra island recently witnessed blood-red skies due to the interaction of sunlight on particles from smoke in the air.

The Southeast Asian country has spent months battling fires, often caused by slash-and-burn farming practices, as an El Nino weather pattern exacerbates the annual dry season and helps create a haze across the region.

Yunita, a resident who filmed the crimson sky on Saturday, said there had been "strong winds, and the smog was thick. The event lasted from noon until evening, breathing was quite hard on that day".

The event quickly went viral on social media, with one video notching up over 600,000 views on Instagram in three days.

In order for a red sky to occur aerosols must be present in the air, A. R. Ravishankara, a U.S.-based scientist was cited in an article posted on the website of Scientific American.

Aerosols are solid or liquid particles suspended in the air that can originate from both natural processes and human activity.

The natural form can come from<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesians-choked-by-forest-fire-haze-pray-for-rain-249464"> forest fires,</a> dust kicked up by sandstorms, sea spray or volcanic eruptions, among other things.

Indonesia's meteorology agency said the sky had turned red in parts of Sumatra due to the "scattering of sunlight by particles floating in the air, also known as Mie scattering".

The agency said that there had been very thick smoke in the Muaro Jambi area of Sumatra last weekend with satellite analysis revealing many hot spots.

"The smoke from the forest fire was different than other areas experiencing forest fires," the agency said.

The satellite showed some areas appeared brown but Jambi appeared white, indicating the smoke to be very thick," the agency said, noting the fires were likely from highly flammable peat.

For some Indonesians, it was as mysterious as it was concerning.

"This is the earth, not Mars. This is Jambi, not outer space... We are humans who need to breathe clean air, not smoke," said one Twitter user @zunishofiyn.

While smoke from forest fires in Indonesia often simply obscures visibility with a choking haze, parts of Sumatra island recently witnessed blood-red skies due to the interaction of sunlight on particles from smoke in the air.

While smoke from forest fires in Indonesia often simply obscures visibility with a choking haze, parts of Sumatra island recently witnessed blood-red skies due to the interaction of sunlight on particles from smoke in the air. The Southeast Asian country has spent months battling fires, often caused by slash-and-burn farming practices, as an El Nino weather pattern exacerbates the annual dry season and helps create a haze across the region. Yunita, a resident who filmed the crimson sky on Saturday, said there had been "strong winds, and the smog was thick. The event lasted from noon until evening, breathing was quite hard on that day". The event quickly went viral on social media, with one video notching up over 600,000 views on Instagram in three days. In order for a red sky to occur aerosols must be present in the air, A. R. Ravishankara, a U.S.-based scientist was cited in an article posted on the website of Scientific American. Aerosols are solid or liquid particles suspended in the air that can originate from both natural processes and human activity. The natural form can come from forest fires, dust kicked up by sandstorms, sea spray or volcanic eruptions, among other things. Indonesia's meteorology agency said the sky had turned red in parts of Sumatra due to the "scattering of sunlight by particles floating in the air, also known as Mie scattering". The agency said that there had been very thick smoke in the Muaro Jambi area of Sumatra last weekend with satellite analysis revealing many hot spots. "The smoke from the forest fire was different than other areas experiencing forest fires," the agency said. The satellite showed some areas appeared brown but Jambi appeared white, indicating the smoke to be very thick," the agency said, noting the fires were likely from highly flammable peat. For some Indonesians, it was as mysterious as it was concerning. "This is the earth, not Mars. This is Jambi, not outer space... We are humans who need to breathe clean air, not smoke," said one Twitter user @zunishofiyn.

Smoke from forest fires turns skies red in Indonesia

President Joko Widodo said Tuesday that prevention must be absolute in handling Indonesia's forest and land fires. Widodo said in Pekanbaru during a meeting with staff that the nation has all the resources for prevention of the noxious haze, but that they are not activated properly.

Efforts ongoing to tackle Indonesia fires, haze

Haze continued to blanket Singapore for a fifth consecutive day on Wednesday (September 18) as forest fires continued to rage in neighbouring countries.

Thick haze covers Singapore as neighbours continue to burn forests

Toxic haze from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesians-choked-by-forest-fire-haze-pray-for-rain-249464">Indonesian forest fires</a> closed schools and airports across the country and in neighbouring Malaysia Wednesday, while air quality worsened in Singapore just days before the city's Formula One motor race.

Illegal fires to clear land for agriculture are blazing out of control on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-shuts-schools-as-forest-fires-choke-borneo-sumatra-islands-250025">Sumatra and Borneo islands</a>, with Jakarta deploying thousands of security forces and water-bombing aircraft to tackle them.

Indonesian blazes belch smog across Southeast Asia annually, but this year's are the worst since 2015 and have added to concerns about wildfire outbreaks <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-forest-fires-surge-stoking-global-warming-fears-249212">worldwide exacerbating global warming</a>.

On Wednesday, air quality deteriorated to "very unhealthy" levels on an official index in many parts of peninsular Malaysia, to the east of Sumatra, with the Kuala Lumpur skyline shrouded by dense smog.

Nearly 1,500 schools were closed across Malaysia due to air pollution, with over one million pupils affected, according to the education ministry.

A growing number of Malaysians were suffering health problems due to the haze, with authorities saying there had been a sharp increase in outpatients at government hospitals many suffering dry and itchy eyes.

Indonesian authorities said hundreds of schools in hard-hit Riau province on Sumatra were shut, without providing a precise number, while about 1,300 were closed in Central Kalimantan province on Borneo.

Borneo is shared between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

Poor visibility closed seven airports in the Indonesian part of Borneo, the transport ministry in Jakarta said. Scores of flights have already been diverted and cancelled in the region in recent days due to the smog.

'Singapore smog race?'

Air quality in Singapore worsened to unhealthy levels and a white smog obscured the striking waterfront skyline, featuring the Marina Bay Sands casino resort with its three towers and boat-shaped top level.

The worsening pollution increased fears that this weekend's Formula One race may be affected. Organisers say the possibility of haze is one of the issues in their contingency plan for Sunday's showpiece night race, but have not given further details.

The city-state's tourism board said spectators would be able to buy masks as protection from the haze if conditions did not improve and assistance would be provided for those who feel unwell, the Today news portal reported.

The fires have sparked tensions between Indonesia and Malaysia.

Indonesia's environment minister initially suggested the haze was from Malaysian fires despite satellite data showing hundreds of blazes in Indonesia and only a handful in its neighbour, prompting anger from her Malaysian counterpart.

Indonesia later sealed off dozens of plantations where it said fires were blazing, including some owned by Malaysia-based firms, deepening the row.

But Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who has struck a diplomatic tone throughout the crisis, said Malaysia may pass legislation forcing its companies to tackle fires on plantations abroad.

Malaysia wants its firms with sites overseas to put out blazes contributing to the haze, he said, adding: "Of course, if we find they are unwilling to take action, we may have to pass a law to make them responsible."

The Indonesian government has insisted it is doing all it can to fight the blazes. But this year's fires have been worsened by dry weather and experts believe there is little chance of them being extinguished until the onset of the rainy season in October.

Indonesia's meteorology, climate and geophysics agency said Wednesday that over 1,000 hotspots areas of intense heat detected by satellite that indicate a likely fire had been sighted, most of them on Sumatra.

Toxic haze from Indonesian forest fires closed schools and airports across the country and in neighbouring Malaysia Wednesday, while air quality worsened in Singapore just days before the city's Formula One motor race.

Toxic haze from Indonesian forest fires closed schools and airports across the country and in neighbouring Malaysia Wednesday, while air quality worsened in Singapore just days before the city's Formula One motor race. Illegal fires to clear land for agriculture are blazing out of control on Sumatra and Borneo islands, with Jakarta deploying thousands of security forces and water-bombing aircraft to tackle them. Indonesian blazes belch smog across Southeast Asia annually, but this year's are the worst since 2015 and have added to concerns about wildfire outbreaks worldwide exacerbating global warming. On Wednesday, air quality deteriorated to "very unhealthy" levels on an official index in many parts of peninsular Malaysia, to the east of Sumatra, with the Kuala Lumpur skyline shrouded by dense smog. Nearly 1,500 schools were closed across Malaysia due to air pollution, with over one million pupils affected, according to the education ministry. A growing number of Malaysians were suffering health problems due to the haze, with authorities saying there had been a sharp increase in outpatients at government hospitals many suffering dry and itchy eyes. Indonesian authorities said hundreds of schools in hard-hit Riau province on Sumatra were shut, without providing a precise number, while about 1,300 were closed in Central Kalimantan province on Borneo. Borneo is shared between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. Poor visibility closed seven airports in the Indonesian part of Borneo, the transport ministry in Jakarta said. Scores of flights have already been diverted and cancelled in the region in recent days due to the smog. 'Singapore smog race?' Air quality in Singapore worsened to unhealthy levels and a white smog obscured the striking waterfront skyline, featuring the Marina Bay Sands casino resort with its three towers and boat-shaped top level. The worsening pollution increased fears that this weekend's Formula One race may be affected. Organisers say the possibility of haze is one of the issues in their contingency plan for Sunday's showpiece night race, but have not given further details. The city-state's tourism board said spectators would be able to buy masks as protection from the haze if conditions did not improve and assistance would be provided for those who feel unwell, the Today news portal reported. The fires have sparked tensions between Indonesia and Malaysia. Indonesia's environment minister initially suggested the haze was from Malaysian fires despite satellite data showing hundreds of blazes in Indonesia and only a handful in its neighbour, prompting anger from her Malaysian counterpart. Indonesia later sealed off dozens of plantations where it said fires were blazing, including some owned by Malaysia-based firms, deepening the row. But Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who has struck a diplomatic tone throughout the crisis, said Malaysia may pass legislation forcing its companies to tackle fires on plantations abroad. Malaysia wants its firms with sites overseas to put out blazes contributing to the haze, he said, adding: "Of course, if we find they are unwilling to take action, we may have to pass a law to make them responsible." The Indonesian government has insisted it is doing all it can to fight the blazes. But this year's fires have been worsened by dry weather and experts believe there is little chance of them being extinguished until the onset of the rainy season in October. Indonesia's meteorology, climate and geophysics agency said Wednesday that over 1,000 hotspots areas of intense heat detected by satellite that indicate a likely fire had been sighted, most of them on Sumatra.

Schools, airports closed as Indonesia fires spark fears for Singapore F1

Indonesia has arrested nearly 200 people over vast <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-shuts-schools-as-forest-fires-choke-borneo-sumatra-islands-250025">forest fires</a> ripping across the archipelago, police said Monday, as toxic haze sends air quality levels plummeting and sparks flight cancellations.

Jakarta has deployed thousands of personnel to battle blazes that are turning land into charred landscapes and consuming forests in Sumatra and Borneo islands, where thousands of schools have been shut over health fears.

The fires -- usually started by illegal burning to clear land for farming -- have unleashed choking haze across Southeast Asia, triggering diplomatic tensions with Indonesia's neighbours.

On Monday, authorities said they had arrested some 185 people suspected of being involved in activities that led to out-of-control fires sweeping the country.

"Indonesian Police will enforce the law against anyone who is proven to have carried out forest and land burning, whether it was done intentionally or through negligence," National Police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo told reporters in Jakarta.

"This is a last resort. The most important thing is prevention."

Four corporations were also being investigated, he added.

Last week, Indonesia sealed off dozens of plantations where smog-belching fires were blazing, and warned that owners -- including Malaysia and Singapore-based firms -- could face criminal charges if there was evidence of illegal burning.

Some of the most serious fires occur in peatlands, which are highly combustible when drained of water to be converted into agricultural plantations.

Thick haze in Borneo -- where air quality levels have plummeted to "dangerous" levels in some areas -- caused the cancellation of about a dozen flights Sunday, national airline Garuda said.

Rival Lion Air said about 160 Borneo flights had been affected at the weekend.

Meanwhile, nearly 150,000 people have been treated for acute respiratory infections linked to the haze in recent months, according to Indonesian health authorities.

While forest fires are an annual problem, the situation this year has been worsened by drier weather in Indonesia, with diplomatic tensions soaring as toxic smog drifts over to neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore.

The haze pushed Singapore's air quality to unhealthy levels for the first time in three years at the weekend.

In 2015, Indonesia suffered its worst forest fires for almost two decades, which dramatically increased its greenhouse gas emissions.

Huge fires tearing through the Amazon are also compounding concerns about the long-term impact of such blazes on keeping global temperature levels stable.

Indonesia has arrested nearly 200 people over vast forest fires ripping across the archipelago, police said Monday, as toxic haze sends air quality levels plummeting and sparks flight cancellations.

Indonesia has arrested nearly 200 people over vast forest fires ripping across the archipelago, police said Monday, as toxic haze sends air quality levels plummeting and sparks flight cancellations. Jakarta has deployed thousands of personnel to battle blazes that are turning land into charred landscapes and consuming forests in Sumatra and Borneo islands, where thousands of schools have been shut over health fears. The fires -- usually started by illegal burning to clear land for farming -- have unleashed choking haze across Southeast Asia, triggering diplomatic tensions with Indonesia's neighbours. On Monday, authorities said they had arrested some 185 people suspected of being involved in activities that led to out-of-control fires sweeping the country. "Indonesian Police will enforce the law against anyone who is proven to have carried out forest and land burning, whether it was done intentionally or through negligence," National Police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo told reporters in Jakarta. "This is a last resort. The most important thing is prevention." Four corporations were also being investigated, he added. Last week, Indonesia sealed off dozens of plantations where smog-belching fires were blazing, and warned that owners -- including Malaysia and Singapore-based firms -- could face criminal charges if there was evidence of illegal burning. Some of the most serious fires occur in peatlands, which are highly combustible when drained of water to be converted into agricultural plantations. Thick haze in Borneo -- where air quality levels have plummeted to "dangerous" levels in some areas -- caused the cancellation of about a dozen flights Sunday, national airline Garuda said. Rival Lion Air said about 160 Borneo flights had been affected at the weekend. Meanwhile, nearly 150,000 people have been treated for acute respiratory infections linked to the haze in recent months, according to Indonesian health authorities. While forest fires are an annual problem, the situation this year has been worsened by drier weather in Indonesia, with diplomatic tensions soaring as toxic smog drifts over to neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore. The haze pushed Singapore's air quality to unhealthy levels for the first time in three years at the weekend. In 2015, Indonesia suffered its worst forest fires for almost two decades, which dramatically increased its greenhouse gas emissions. Huge fires tearing through the Amazon are also compounding concerns about the long-term impact of such blazes on keeping global temperature levels stable.

Indonesia arrests nearly 200 over raging forest fires

The chief of an indigenous tribe in the heart of the world's largest rainforest - the Amazon - said on Monday (September 09) illegal loggers were causing damage to a protected area.

'They're taking all the riches from indigenous lands' - illegal loggers spoil pristine Amazon forest

Malaysia has sent half a million face masks to its eastern state of Sarawak, where air pollution levels have spiked amid worsening forest fires in neighbouring Indonesia, authorities said on Tuesday.

Indonesian farmers often use fire to clear land for palm oil and pulp plantations. Fires can smoulder for weeks, especially in dry weather, producing a choking haze that drifts over neighbours like Singapore and Malaysia.

In recent weeks, Indonesia has sent in thousands of security personnel to douse fires after declaring an emergency in six provinces on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo.

"NADMA has acquired 500,000 face masks and sent them to the agency's branch in Sarawak," Malaysia's national disaster management agency said in a statement, referring to itself by it is an acronym.

The agency and the education ministry were also working to get masks to schools in the affected area, it said.

The air pollution index (API) in Sarawak, on the Malaysian side of Borneo, reached unhealthy levels on Tuesday with one district recording a reading of 201, a "very unhealthy" level.

Unhealthy readings were recorded in five other Malaysian states.

Southeast Asia has suffered for years from annual bouts of smoke caused by slash-and-burn practices in Indonesia, raising worries about health and the impact on tourism.

Indonesia's neighbours have repeatedly complained and promised to help end the problem but it persists.

Last week, Malaysia said it would send a diplomatic note to Indonesia urging immediate action to fight the haze.

Malaysia has also offered Indonesia help to put out the fires, but had yet to receive any request for assistance, the disaster agency said.

Malaysia has sent half a million face masks to its eastern state of Sarawak, where air pollution levels have spiked amid worsening forest fires in neighbouring Indonesia, authorities said on Tuesday.

Malaysia has sent half a million face masks to its eastern state of Sarawak, where air pollution levels have spiked amid worsening forest fires in neighbouring Indonesia, authorities said on Tuesday. Indonesian farmers often use fire to clear land for palm oil and pulp plantations. Fires can smoulder for weeks, especially in dry weather, producing a choking haze that drifts over neighbours like Singapore and Malaysia. In recent weeks, Indonesia has sent in thousands of security personnel to douse fires after declaring an emergency in six provinces on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. "NADMA has acquired 500,000 face masks and sent them to the agency's branch in Sarawak," Malaysia's national disaster management agency said in a statement, referring to itself by it is an acronym. The agency and the education ministry were also working to get masks to schools in the affected area, it said. The air pollution index (API) in Sarawak, on the Malaysian side of Borneo, reached unhealthy levels on Tuesday with one district recording a reading of 201, a "very unhealthy" level. Unhealthy readings were recorded in five other Malaysian states. Southeast Asia has suffered for years from annual bouts of smoke caused by slash-and-burn practices in Indonesia, raising worries about health and the impact on tourism. Indonesia's neighbours have repeatedly complained and promised to help end the problem but it persists. Last week, Malaysia said it would send a diplomatic note to Indonesia urging immediate action to fight the haze. Malaysia has also offered Indonesia help to put out the fires, but had yet to receive any request for assistance, the disaster agency said.

Malaysia sends half a million face masks to haze-hit state as fires burn

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro`s furious reaction to foreign criticism of his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-officials-bolsonaros-son-meet-with-trump-to-discuss-amazon-fires-246769">handling of Amazon fires</a> reflects the sacred place the vast region occupies in the minds of Brazil`s military, for whom the rainforest is almost a raison d`être.

While many around the world view the Amazon as a vital defence against climate change, within Brazil`s military the sparsely developed region represents a sprawling, resource-rich asset that they believe foreigners are desperate to control.&nbsp;

That helps explain why Bolsonaro, a far-right former army captain, reacted with fury to the world`s condemnation of his handling of the fires and initially slapped down many of its offers of help.&nbsp;

"There is foreign interest in the mineral wealth and biodiversity of the Amazon," retired General Paulo Chagas, a friend of Bolsonaro`s, told Reuters.

"When (foreigners) speak of protecting the Indians and the environment, that is just a cover to justify outside interference."&nbsp;

"President Bolsonaro believes this totally. It comes from the cradle, the military academy."

But the Amazon is not just a potent symbol of national sovereignty for the armed forces, officials, former soldiers and experts said.

&nbsp;It has also given Brazil`s embattled military, buffeted by budget cuts and demoralized after years of hostile leftist administrations, an area to defend on a continent where it faces few real foes. It maintains a significant presence in the Amazon, manning battalions, building roads and staffing military hospitals in the remote jungle region.

Xavier Arnauld, a French academic who has studied the military`s role in the Amazon, said the area was a vital part of the armed forces` identity.&nbsp;

"An army needs enemies," he said. "In peacetime, when a country has financial difficulties, the temptation to reduce the army`s budget is huge. With this discourse, the army doesn`t only justify its budget, but it also gives it a mission."

The jump in Amazon forest fires this year has created an international crisis for Bolsonaro, threatening his efforts to ignite Brazil`s sickly economy and trade more with the world.

As global outrage over the fires spread, many pointed fingers at Brazil`s president for rolling back environmental protections to benefit agribusiness producers.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro responded by suggesting, without providing evidence, that international non-governmental organizations may have started the blazes. He also chafed at offers of foreign aid, and told critics like French President Emmanuel Macron to mind their own business and stop disrespecting Brazil`s sovereignty.

Although Bolsonaro`s reaction may have surprised foreign leaders, his views have played better in Brazil, and particularly within the military. In response to foreign criticism, Bolsonaro finally announced this week that the army would help fight the fires.

Bolsonaro is an outspoken admirer of the 1964-85 military dictatorship, which took power in a US-backed coup to stop an alleged communist plot to take over Brazil. One of its main missions was opening Brazil`s vast interior to development.&nbsp;

His election immediately elevated the standing of the armed forces, which had grown increasingly restive under more than a decade of leftist administrations.

Since taking office in January, Bolsonaro has placed at least 10 senior army and navy officials in his cabinet, giving military ideology a strong voice in his administration.&nbsp;

Former generals in the cabinet include Vice President Hamilton Mourão, and national security advisor Augusto Heleno, who in 2008 resigned from the army`s top job in the Amazon after criticizing the then-leftist government`s indigenous policies.

In an op-ed this week, Mourão decried "an international campaign against Brazil... to neutralise Brazilian sovereignty over our part of the Amazon region."

Army history

The son of a wildcat miner who worked the Amazon`s illicit pits, Bolsonaro was imbued with a pioneer spirit from a young age. After passing through the Black Needles Military Academy, Brazil`s version of West Point, he enjoyed a short-lived military career, lacking in distinction.&nbsp;

"The Brazilian army... influences (Bolsonaro) in the sense that it is a school of patriotism underpinned by the idea of sovereignty... in the Amazon," Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo told Reuters.

Brazil`s military has long been at the forefront of Amazon exploration, joining with missionaries and land-hungry entrepreneurs who trekked deep into the jungle seeking exotic goods, indigenous souls and the outer limits of the new nation.

Yet aside from a brief war with Paraguay in the 19th century and an expeditionary force that joined the Allies during World War Two, Brazil`s military has seen little real combat. These days, the armed forces are mainly engaged in the odd public security mission, infrastructure projects and helping during natural disasters.&nbsp;

Arnauld said that during the 1960s, the dictatorship reframed ideas of the Amazon, arguing that developing the region was key to protecting national security.&nbsp;

That ideology was best summed up by government slogans from the time: "integrate so as not to forfeit" and "give a land without men to men without land".

The military`s presence in the region remains formidable.&nbsp;

"Here we have an economy that very much revolves around our soldiers," said Herivaneo Seixas, the mayor of Humaita, a town in Amazonas state which is also home to the immaculate 54th Jungle Infantry Battalion.&nbsp;

Tassio Franchi, an Amazon expert at the Brazilian Army Command and General Staff School, said the military`s fears were justified in a dangerous, lawless region, surrounded by the world`s top three cocaine-producing nations.&nbsp;

"It`s necessary to guarantee presence, the possession and control of the territory," he said.&nbsp;

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro`s furious reaction to foreign criticism of his handling of Amazon fires reflects the sacred place the vast region occupies in the minds of Brazil`s military, for whom the rainforest is almost a raison d`être.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro`s furious reaction to foreign criticism of his handling of Amazon fires reflects the sacred place the vast region occupies in the minds of Brazil`s military, for whom the rainforest is almost a raison d`être. While many around the world view the Amazon as a vital defence against climate change, within Brazil`s military the sparsely developed region represents a sprawling, resource-rich asset that they believe foreigners are desperate to control. That helps explain why Bolsonaro, a far-right former army captain, reacted with fury to the world`s condemnation of his handling of the fires and initially slapped down many of its offers of help. "There is foreign interest in the mineral wealth and biodiversity of the Amazon," retired General Paulo Chagas, a friend of Bolsonaro`s, told Reuters. "When (foreigners) speak of protecting the Indians and the environment, that is just a cover to justify outside interference." "President Bolsonaro believes this totally. It comes from the cradle, the military academy." But the Amazon is not just a potent symbol of national sovereignty for the armed forces, officials, former soldiers and experts said. It has also given Brazil`s embattled military, buffeted by budget cuts and demoralized after years of hostile leftist administrations, an area to defend on a continent where it faces few real foes. It maintains a significant presence in the Amazon, manning battalions, building roads and staffing military hospitals in the remote jungle region. Xavier Arnauld, a French academic who has studied the military`s role in the Amazon, said the area was a vital part of the armed forces` identity. "An army needs enemies," he said. "In peacetime, when a country has financial difficulties, the temptation to reduce the army`s budget is huge. With this discourse, the army doesn`t only justify its budget, but it also gives it a mission." The jump in Amazon forest fires this year has created an international crisis for Bolsonaro, threatening his efforts to ignite Brazil`s sickly economy and trade more with the world. As global outrage over the fires spread, many pointed fingers at Brazil`s president for rolling back environmental protections to benefit agribusiness producers. Bolsonaro responded by suggesting, without providing evidence, that international non-governmental organizations may have started the blazes. He also chafed at offers of foreign aid, and told critics like French President Emmanuel Macron to mind their own business and stop disrespecting Brazil`s sovereignty. Although Bolsonaro`s reaction may have surprised foreign leaders, his views have played better in Brazil, and particularly within the military. In response to foreign criticism, Bolsonaro finally announced this week that the army would help fight the fires. Bolsonaro is an outspoken admirer of the 1964-85 military dictatorship, which took power in a US-backed coup to stop an alleged communist plot to take over Brazil. One of its main missions was opening Brazil`s vast interior to development. His election immediately elevated the standing of the armed forces, which had grown increasingly restive under more than a decade of leftist administrations. Since taking office in January, Bolsonaro has placed at least 10 senior army and navy officials in his cabinet, giving military ideology a strong voice in his administration. Former generals in the cabinet include Vice President Hamilton Mourão, and national security advisor Augusto Heleno, who in 2008 resigned from the army`s top job in the Amazon after criticizing the then-leftist government`s indigenous policies. In an op-ed this week, Mourão decried "an international campaign against Brazil... to neutralise Brazilian sovereignty over our part of the Amazon region." Army history The son of a wildcat miner who worked the Amazon`s illicit pits, Bolsonaro was imbued with a pioneer spirit from a young age. After passing through the Black Needles Military Academy, Brazil`s version of West Point, he enjoyed a short-lived military career, lacking in distinction. "The Brazilian army... influences (Bolsonaro) in the sense that it is a school of patriotism underpinned by the idea of sovereignty... in the Amazon," Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo told Reuters. Brazil`s military has long been at the forefront of Amazon exploration, joining with missionaries and land-hungry entrepreneurs who trekked deep into the jungle seeking exotic goods, indigenous souls and the outer limits of the new nation. Yet aside from a brief war with Paraguay in the 19th century and an expeditionary force that joined the Allies during World War Two, Brazil`s military has seen little real combat. These days, the armed forces are mainly engaged in the odd public security mission, infrastructure projects and helping during natural disasters. Arnauld said that during the 1960s, the dictatorship reframed ideas of the Amazon, arguing that developing the region was key to protecting national security. That ideology was best summed up by government slogans from the time: "integrate so as not to forfeit" and "give a land without men to men without land". The military`s presence in the region remains formidable. "Here we have an economy that very much revolves around our soldiers," said Herivaneo Seixas, the mayor of Humaita, a town in Amazonas state which is also home to the immaculate 54th Jungle Infantry Battalion. Tassio Franchi, an Amazon expert at the Brazilian Army Command and General Staff School, said the military`s fears were justified in a dangerous, lawless region, surrounded by the world`s top three cocaine-producing nations. "It`s necessary to guarantee presence, the possession and control of the territory," he said.

Why is Bolsonaro wary of foreign Amazon aid: Brazil's military

Brazil`s foreign minister and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/europe-has-nothing-to-teach-brazil-about-preserving-environment-says-bolsonaro-as-amazon-fires-soar-246740">President Jair Bolsonaro</a>`s son met with US President Donald Trump on Friday to discuss the fires ravaging the Amazon rainforest, although no concrete measures to deal with the blazes were announced.

Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Eduardo Bolsonaro said there could be an announcement later, potentially after his return to Brasilia on Saturday and consultations with his father.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro has said he will appoint Eduardo as Brazil`s ambassador to the United States, but the controversial nomination has yet to be sent to the Senate for voting and confirmation.

The far-right Brazilian president sees the vast Amazon area as ripe for economic development and crucial to Brazilian sovereignty. He has been critical of what he has called interference, mostly from European countries, preferring to enter into potential talks for help fighting the fires with those he sees as allies, such as Trump and Chilean President Sebastian Pinera.

The talks with Trump largely focused on topics beyond the fires` scope, including trade, according to Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo.

"(Trump) reiterated various things: a willingness to work with us to sustainably develop the Amazon, a huge interest in a broad trade agreement with us," Araujo said.

The United States, Chile, Israel and Ecuador have already offered support in fighting the worst rash of fires in the Amazon rainforest since 2010, the country`s joint military chief told reporters in Brazil earlier.

The number of fires receded after Brazil`s military joined the firefighting efforts last week, although the latest statistics from Brazilian space research agency INPE showed a new spike. On Thursday, 1,255 fires were registered in the Amazon, the highest number for a single day since Aug. 17, according to INPE data.

'Our dear Macron'

President Bolsonaro tweeted on Friday that he had also spoken with German Chancellor Angela Merkel about the fires, a conversation which he said reaffirmed Brazil`s sovereignty over the rainforest.

He said that according to the European External Action Service, the EU diplomatic wing, satellite images show that fires in Brazil were lower year-to-date compared to the same period in 2018. Reuters was not immediately able to verify that.

Such data would directly contradict figures from INPE that show fires from Jan. 1 to Aug. 29 were up 77% compared to the same period a year ago.

"I am ready to talk with some people, except our dear Macron, unless he apologizes about our sovereignty over the Amazon," Bolsonaro said earlier in the day, referring to French President Emmanuel Macron.

Earlier this week Bolsonaro said he would not accept an offer of at least $20 million from the Group of Seven rich nations to help fight the Amazon fires unless Macron withdrew what he called "insults" against him.

The two leaders have become embroiled in a public war of words over Brazil`s handling of the Amazon fires and the international response. 
Eduardo Bolsonaro told reporters outside the White House that Brazil could not accept an offer like Macron`s.

"This isn`t aid that comes with good intentions. It`s aid that comes with other interests," he said. "This would disrespect Brazilians. It would subjugate our Brazilian-ness."&nbsp;

Brazil is also facing economic pressure over its perceived slow response to the surge in fires and deforestation. On Friday, the asset management arm of Nordea , one of the Nordic region`s biggest banks, said it was suspending purchases of Brazilian government bonds.

Norwegian pension fund KLP, which has $80 billion in assets under management, said this week it had contacted US companies Bunge , Cargill and Archer Daniels Midland asking for "concrete action" to protect the rainforest.&nbsp;

In statements to Reuters on Friday, Bunge and ADM reaffirmed their commitments to keep deforestation out of their supply chains. Cargill did not immediately respond to request for comment.

On Thursday, VF Corp , maker of Timberland, Vans and other apparel brands, said it would stop buying leather from Brazil over environmental concerns.

Brazil`s foreign minister and President Jair Bolsonaro`s son met with US President Donald Trump on Friday to discuss the fires ravaging the Amazon rainforest, although no concrete measures to deal with the blazes were announced.

Brazil`s foreign minister and President Jair Bolsonaro`s son met with US President Donald Trump on Friday to discuss the fires ravaging the Amazon rainforest, although no concrete measures to deal with the blazes were announced. Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Eduardo Bolsonaro said there could be an announcement later, potentially after his return to Brasilia on Saturday and consultations with his father. Bolsonaro has said he will appoint Eduardo as Brazil`s ambassador to the United States, but the controversial nomination has yet to be sent to the Senate for voting and confirmation. The far-right Brazilian president sees the vast Amazon area as ripe for economic development and crucial to Brazilian sovereignty. He has been critical of what he has called interference, mostly from European countries, preferring to enter into potential talks for help fighting the fires with those he sees as allies, such as Trump and Chilean President Sebastian Pinera. The talks with Trump largely focused on topics beyond the fires` scope, including trade, according to Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo. "(Trump) reiterated various things: a willingness to work with us to sustainably develop the Amazon, a huge interest in a broad trade agreement with us," Araujo said. The United States, Chile, Israel and Ecuador have already offered support in fighting the worst rash of fires in the Amazon rainforest since 2010, the country`s joint military chief told reporters in Brazil earlier. The number of fires receded after Brazil`s military joined the firefighting efforts last week, although the latest statistics from Brazilian space research agency INPE showed a new spike. On Thursday, 1,255 fires were registered in the Amazon, the highest number for a single day since Aug. 17, according to INPE data. 'Our dear Macron' President Bolsonaro tweeted on Friday that he had also spoken with German Chancellor Angela Merkel about the fires, a conversation which he said reaffirmed Brazil`s sovereignty over the rainforest. He said that according to the European External Action Service, the EU diplomatic wing, satellite images show that fires in Brazil were lower year-to-date compared to the same period in 2018. Reuters was not immediately able to verify that. Such data would directly contradict figures from INPE that show fires from Jan. 1 to Aug. 29 were up 77% compared to the same period a year ago. "I am ready to talk with some people, except our dear Macron, unless he apologizes about our sovereignty over the Amazon," Bolsonaro said earlier in the day, referring to French President Emmanuel Macron. Earlier this week Bolsonaro said he would not accept an offer of at least $20 million from the Group of Seven rich nations to help fight the Amazon fires unless Macron withdrew what he called "insults" against him. The two leaders have become embroiled in a public war of words over Brazil`s handling of the Amazon fires and the international response. Eduardo Bolsonaro told reporters outside the White House that Brazil could not accept an offer like Macron`s. "This isn`t aid that comes with good intentions. It`s aid that comes with other interests," he said. "This would disrespect Brazilians. It would subjugate our Brazilian-ness." Brazil is also facing economic pressure over its perceived slow response to the surge in fires and deforestation. On Friday, the asset management arm of Nordea , one of the Nordic region`s biggest banks, said it was suspending purchases of Brazilian government bonds. Norwegian pension fund KLP, which has $80 billion in assets under management, said this week it had contacted US companies Bunge , Cargill and Archer Daniels Midland asking for "concrete action" to protect the rainforest. In statements to Reuters on Friday, Bunge and ADM reaffirmed their commitments to keep deforestation out of their supply chains. Cargill did not immediately respond to request for comment. On Thursday, VF Corp , maker of Timberland, Vans and other apparel brands, said it would stop buying leather from Brazil over environmental concerns.

Brazil officials, Bolsonaro's son meet with Trump to discuss Amazon fires

Smoke from raging wildfires emanates from tree trops in the normally lush Amazon, leaving behind it a trail of charred devastation that has left deep scars in the world's largest rainforest.

Smoke rises above Amazon as new wildfires leave path of devastation

Armed with just shovels and machetes, firefighters in Bolivia battled through hot weather on Wednesday (August 28) to smother a forest fire in Santa Rosa de Tucabaca, as the country struggles to contain raging wildfires.

Bolivian firefighters in uphill battle against raging wildfires

What was recently a verdant area of trees and wildlife has become a desolate, barren landscape where life teeters on the brink after wildfires raged through this area of southeastern Bolivia. Ash has replaced leaves and dead animals scatter the charred earth in this area of the Andean country near its border with Paraguay.

Wildlife facing fire, heat, smoke and drought as Bolivian forests blaze

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-rejects-g7-aid-of-20-million-euros-to-fight-amazon-fires-245885">Amazon rainforest</a>, which produces about 20 per cent of the Earth's atmosphere's oxygen, is burning from wildfires at a record rate and has drawn international attention. Environmental activists have been staging protests at Brazilian embassies worldwide and&nbsp;accusing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/bolsonaro-may-not-be-the-real-culprit-of-the-amazon-fire-246177">Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro</a> of supporting&nbsp;farmers who are burning the rainforest to expand farming land.

WION spoke to experts on Amazon wildfires. Here is an excerpt from the exclusive interview.

Speaking to WION, Adriane Esquivel Muelbert, Research fellow at the University of Birmingham studying impacts of climate change on forests / Brazilian ecologist called for the entire global community to come forward and help in preserving the forest.

Calling the ongoing burning of Amazon fires as a red alert, the Brazilian ecologist said the whole world was dealing with a global issue and added that everyone needs to put in some efforts to preserve the forests.

She said no kind of intervention could be done, however, added that putting pressure on Brazil and other countries was&nbsp;required to better regulate environmental loss.&nbsp;

She also added, "Brazil has been doing very well for the past few years, and added that it would be amazing if the country continues with the policy that was done before.

She also called the whole world has to make a big effort to keep a check on CO2 in the atmosphere.

Answering a question on Bolsonaro's political posturing, she said, " the world had no time to waste as we were dealing with a an emergency situation.

She said, "This is no time for political gains...this is time for taking action and solving this problem. Everday the forest is burning, we are losing our chances to fight climate change more and more. The more we take time to take action, the more..the biggest of problems become more."

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Carlos Nobre, University of Sao Paulo climate scientist said the immediate effect of the forest fire will be in South America. He said the Organic material which is burning will eventually end up in smoke and travel upto 3000 kms in the south creating polluted atmosphere for several months.

He added that the forest fire will attack the health of over 20 million people.&nbsp;

Nobre highlighted on the long term impact of the forest fire when a tipping point will be exceeded and 50-60 per cent of the Amazon will become a degraded dry Savanna.

Answering about Bolsonaro's political posturing he said, "Its a waste of time and diplomacy. This has become a personal issue."

He said, "The last statement by Brazil government officials is that they will overcome this personal war and they will accept international aids from G7 and also coming from anywhere is a good move."

He encouraged the acceptance of any aid coming to get rid of the fire.

He also emphasised on the need for law enforcement to prevent illegal activities claiming that most of those fires come from chopped down trees and not from standing trees. He said, "Trees were chopped down two three months ago, they were left drying out. Now people are setting fire on them."

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The Amazon rainforest, which produces about 20 per cent of the Earth's atmosphere's oxygen, is burning from wildfires at a record rate and has drawn international attention.

The Amazon rainforest, which produces about 20 per cent of the Earth's atmosphere's oxygen, is burning from wildfires at a record rate and has drawn international attention. Environmental activists have been staging protests at Brazilian embassies worldwide and accusing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro of supporting farmers who are burning the rainforest to expand farming land. WION spoke to experts on Amazon wildfires. Here is an excerpt from the exclusive interview. Speaking to WION, Adriane Esquivel Muelbert, Research fellow at the University of Birmingham studying impacts of climate change on forests / Brazilian ecologist called for the entire global community to come forward and help in preserving the forest. Calling the ongoing burning of Amazon fires as a red alert, the Brazilian ecologist said the whole world was dealing with a global issue and added that everyone needs to put in some efforts to preserve the forests. She said no kind of intervention could be done, however, added that putting pressure on Brazil and other countries was required to better regulate environmental loss. She also added, "Brazil has been doing very well for the past few years, and added that it would be amazing if the country continues with the policy that was done before. She also called the whole world has to make a big effort to keep a check on CO2 in the atmosphere. Answering a question on Bolsonaro's political posturing, she said, " the world had no time to waste as we were dealing with a an emergency situation. She said, "This is no time for political gains...this is time for taking action and solving this problem. Everday the forest is burning, we are losing our chances to fight climate change more and more. The more we take time to take action, the more..the biggest of problems become more." × Carlos Nobre, University of Sao Paulo climate scientist said the immediate effect of the forest fire will be in South America. He said the Organic material which is burning will eventually end up in smoke and travel upto 3000 kms in the south creating polluted atmosphere for several months. He added that the forest fire will attack the health of over 20 million people. Nobre highlighted on the long term impact of the forest fire when a tipping point will be exceeded and 50-60 per cent of the Amazon will become a degraded dry Savanna. Answering about Bolsonaro's political posturing he said, "Its a waste of time and diplomacy. This has become a personal issue." He said, "The last statement by Brazil government officials is that they will overcome this personal war and they will accept international aids from G7 and also coming from anywhere is a good move." He encouraged the acceptance of any aid coming to get rid of the fire. He also emphasised on the need for law enforcement to prevent illegal activities claiming that most of those fires come from chopped down trees and not from standing trees. He said, "Trees were chopped down two three months ago, they were left drying out. Now people are setting fire on them." ×

Amazon fires is a red alert, world needs to put in efforts to preserve forests: Brazilian ecologist to WION

United States President Donald Trump called <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-eu-threatens-trade-retaliation-brazil-sends-army-to-fight-amazon-fires-245212">Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro </a>on Friday (local time) and offered assistance, if needed, to tackle the raging wildfires in the Amazon rainforest.

"Just spoke with President @JairBolsonaro of Brazil. Our future Trade prospects are very exciting and our relationship is strong, perhaps stronger than ever before. I told him if the United States can help with the Amazon Rainforest fires, we stand ready to assist!" the president tweeted.

The far-right leader told reporters on Friday that he was inclined to deploy the troops using a presidential decree.&nbsp;

Brazil`s environmental agency, IBAMA, is also hiring hundreds of temporary firefighters to help fight the fires, CNN reported after quoting the agency on Friday.

The announcement came as political, civil society leaders and celebrities around the world stepped up their pressure on the Brazilian government over the blazing rainforest.

France and Ireland said they would block a trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur, the economic and political bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, unless Brazil takes action on the Amazon forest.

French President Emmanuel Macron called the Amazon wildfires an "international crisis" that needed to be on the agenda at the G7 summit in Biarritz.

Bolsonaro denounced Macron`s offer as "sensationalist" and accused him of using the fires for "political gain."

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reiterated Macron's stance and said international cooperation is needed to protect rainforests.&nbsp;

United States President Donald Trump called Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday (local time) and offered assistance, if needed, to tackle the raging wildfires in the Amazon rainforest.

United States President Donald Trump called Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday (local time) and offered assistance, if needed, to tackle the raging wildfires in the Amazon rainforest. "Just spoke with President @JairBolsonaro of Brazil. Our future Trade prospects are very exciting and our relationship is strong, perhaps stronger than ever before. I told him if the United States can help with the Amazon Rainforest fires, we stand ready to assist!" the president tweeted. The far-right leader told reporters on Friday that he was inclined to deploy the troops using a presidential decree. Brazil`s environmental agency, IBAMA, is also hiring hundreds of temporary firefighters to help fight the fires, CNN reported after quoting the agency on Friday. The announcement came as political, civil society leaders and celebrities around the world stepped up their pressure on the Brazilian government over the blazing rainforest. France and Ireland said they would block a trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur, the economic and political bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, unless Brazil takes action on the Amazon forest. French President Emmanuel Macron called the Amazon wildfires an "international crisis" that needed to be on the agenda at the G7 summit in Biarritz. Bolsonaro denounced Macron`s offer as "sensationalist" and accused him of using the fires for "political gain." Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reiterated Macron's stance and said international cooperation is needed to protect rainforests.

Trump calls Brazil President, offers assistance in tackling Amazon rainforest fires

Amid <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/akshay-kumar-alia-bhatt-and-other-b-town-stars-raise-their-voice-for-amazon-forest-fires-244855">growing international criticism</a> over the wildfires raging through the Amazon, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday admitted farmers could be illegally <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/forest-fires-in-brazil-surge-as-deforestation-accelerates-244571">setting the rainforest ablaze</a> but told foreign powers not to interfere.

French President Emmanuel Macron and United Nations Secretary General António Guterres both took to Twitter to express concern about the fires that have reached a record number this year, devastating vast swathes of forest considered a vital bulwark against climate change.

Bolsonaro responded angrily to what he regarded as meddling.

"These countries that send money here, they don`t send it out of charity. ... They send it with the aim of interfering with our sovereignty," he said in a Facebook Live broadcast.

But earlier on Thursday, he said that Brazil alone lacked the resources to control the fires.

"The Amazon is bigger than Europe, how will you fight criminal fires in such an area?" he asked reporters as he left the presidential residence. "We do not have the resources for that."

Fires in the Amazon have surged 83 per cent so far this year compared with the same period a year earlier, government figures show.&nbsp;

Although fires are a regular and natural occurrence during the dry season at this time of year, environmentalists blamed the sharp rise on farmers setting the forest alight to clear land for pasture.

Farmers may have had at least tacit encouragement from the firebrand right-wing president, who took power in January. Bolsonaro has repeatedly said he believes Brazil should open the Amazon up to business interests, to allow mining, agricultural and logging companies to exploit its natural resources.

On Wednesday, he blamed non-governmental organizations for setting the fires, without providing evidence. He appeared to row back on Thursday, when he said for the first time that farmers could be behind the fires.

Ad for "Fire day"

Macron took to Twitter to call the Amazon fires an "international crisis" that should be discussed by the G7 summit that will begin on Saturday in Biarritz, France. The Group of Seven rich countries does not include Brazil.

Guterres said he was "deeply concerned" by the fires, adding, "We cannot afford more damage to a major source of oxygen and biodiversity."&nbsp;

Federal prosecutors in Brazil said they were investigating a spike in deforestation and wildfires raging in the Amazon state of Pará to determine whether there has been reduced monitoring and enforcement of environmental protections.

Prosecutors said they would look into an ad that they said was published in a local newspaper encouraging farmers to participate in a "Fire Day," in which they would burn large areas of forest "to show Bolsonaro their willingness to work."&nbsp;

Colombia, home to part of the northern Amazon, on Thursday offered its support in the fight to protect the forest.

"Colombian authorities are already working to contain the propagation of these fires toward Colombian territory and we are willing to collaborate with our neighbours in this common cause," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Brazil is facing growing international criticism over its handling of the Amazon, 60% of which lies in the country.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, Norway and Germany suspended funding for projects to curb deforestation in Brazil after becoming alarmed by changes to the way projects were selected under Bolsonaro.

At the time, when asked about the loss of German funding, Bolsonaro said, "Brazil does not need that."

Others were less sanguine.

Brazil`s lower house speaker, Rodrigo Maia, said on Twitter he would create "an external committee" to monitor the burning of the rainforest, and he vowed to form a group "to evaluate the situation and propose solutions to the government."&nbsp;

The Bishops Conference for Latin America expressed concern about the "tragedy," and on Thursday called on countries to take immediate action to protect the rainforest and nearby communities.

"We urge the governments of the Amazon countries, especially Brazil and Bolivia, the United Nations and the international community to take serious measures to save the world`s lungs," it said.

Wildfires are also raging in Bolivia, where officials estimate that an area the size of the US state of Delaware has burned in recent days.

Amid growing international criticism over the wildfires raging through the Amazon, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday admitted farmers could be illegally setting the rainforest ablaze but told foreign powers not to interfere.

Amid growing international criticism over the wildfires raging through the Amazon, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday admitted farmers could be illegally setting the rainforest ablaze but told foreign powers not to interfere. French President Emmanuel Macron and United Nations Secretary General António Guterres both took to Twitter to express concern about the fires that have reached a record number this year, devastating vast swathes of forest considered a vital bulwark against climate change. Bolsonaro responded angrily to what he regarded as meddling. "These countries that send money here, they don`t send it out of charity. ... They send it with the aim of interfering with our sovereignty," he said in a Facebook Live broadcast. But earlier on Thursday, he said that Brazil alone lacked the resources to control the fires. "The Amazon is bigger than Europe, how will you fight criminal fires in such an area?" he asked reporters as he left the presidential residence. "We do not have the resources for that." Fires in the Amazon have surged 83 per cent so far this year compared with the same period a year earlier, government figures show. Although fires are a regular and natural occurrence during the dry season at this time of year, environmentalists blamed the sharp rise on farmers setting the forest alight to clear land for pasture. Farmers may have had at least tacit encouragement from the firebrand right-wing president, who took power in January. Bolsonaro has repeatedly said he believes Brazil should open the Amazon up to business interests, to allow mining, agricultural and logging companies to exploit its natural resources. On Wednesday, he blamed non-governmental organizations for setting the fires, without providing evidence. He appeared to row back on Thursday, when he said for the first time that farmers could be behind the fires. Ad for "Fire day" Macron took to Twitter to call the Amazon fires an "international crisis" that should be discussed by the G7 summit that will begin on Saturday in Biarritz, France. The Group of Seven rich countries does not include Brazil. Guterres said he was "deeply concerned" by the fires, adding, "We cannot afford more damage to a major source of oxygen and biodiversity." Federal prosecutors in Brazil said they were investigating a spike in deforestation and wildfires raging in the Amazon state of Pará to determine whether there has been reduced monitoring and enforcement of environmental protections. Prosecutors said they would look into an ad that they said was published in a local newspaper encouraging farmers to participate in a "Fire Day," in which they would burn large areas of forest "to show Bolsonaro their willingness to work." Colombia, home to part of the northern Amazon, on Thursday offered its support in the fight to protect the forest. "Colombian authorities are already working to contain the propagation of these fires toward Colombian territory and we are willing to collaborate with our neighbours in this common cause," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Brazil is facing growing international criticism over its handling of the Amazon, 60% of which lies in the country. Earlier this month, Norway and Germany suspended funding for projects to curb deforestation in Brazil after becoming alarmed by changes to the way projects were selected under Bolsonaro. At the time, when asked about the loss of German funding, Bolsonaro said, "Brazil does not need that." Others were less sanguine. Brazil`s lower house speaker, Rodrigo Maia, said on Twitter he would create "an external committee" to monitor the burning of the rainforest, and he vowed to form a group "to evaluate the situation and propose solutions to the government." The Bishops Conference for Latin America expressed concern about the "tragedy," and on Thursday called on countries to take immediate action to protect the rainforest and nearby communities. "We urge the governments of the Amazon countries, especially Brazil and Bolivia, the United Nations and the international community to take serious measures to save the world`s lungs," it said. Wildfires are also raging in Bolivia, where officials estimate that an area the size of the US state of Delaware has burned in recent days.

As Amazon burns, Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro tells rest of world not to interfere

The number of forest fires in Brazil surged in the first eight months of 2019, official data show, as President Jair Bolsonaro faces growing criticism over rampant destruction of the Amazon.

The number of forest fires in Brazil surged in the first eight months of 2019, official data show, as President Jair Bolsonaro faces growing criticism over rampant destruction of the Amazon. Nearly 73,000 fires were recorded between January and August, compared with 39,759 in all of 2018, the embattled National Institute for Space Research (INPE) said late Monday. That is the highest number of forest fires for any year since 2013 and follows two years of declines. "What we are seeing is a consequence of the increase in deforestation seen in recent figures," said Ricardo Mello of WWF's Amazon Program. Forest fires tend to intensify during the dry season, which usually ends in late October or early November, as land is cleared to make way for crops or grazing. The INPE figures show fires have been concentrated in states occupying the Amazon. Thick smoke has blanketed several cities in recent days and even caused a commercial flight to be diverted. The data comes as Bolsonaro faces growing criticism over his anti-environment rhetoric, which activists blame for emboldening loggers, miners and farmers in the Amazon. Norway on Thursday joined Germany in halting Amazon protection subsidies, accusing Brazil of turning its back on the fight against deforestation. The governors of nine states spanning the Amazon also published a statement on Sunday saying they would negotiate directly with the Amazon Fund contributors. The latest INPE figures coincide with a UN regional meeting on climate change in Brazil ahead of December's summit in Chile. INPE is already in Bolsonaro's crosshairs over data showing a surge in deforestation in recent months. Bolsonaro dismissed the figures as lies and sacked the head of the agency tasked with tracking forest clearing. Brazil leads the region in forest fires this year, according to the INPE data that is collected via satellite and updated in real-time. Venezuela ranked second with 26,453 fires and Bolivia with 16,101.

Forest fires in Brazil surge as deforestation accelerates

At least 26 firefighters died after hundreds were sent to tackle a forest blaze in remote mountains in southwest China's Sichuan province at the weekend, authorities said Monday.

Nearly 700 firefighters have deployed to battle the fire, which broke out on Saturday on steep terrain at an altitude of around 4,000 metres (13,000 feet) in Muli County, according to the ministry of emergency management.

Authorities lost contact with 30 firefighters on Sunday afternoon after a sudden change in wind direction ignited a "huge fireball", the ministry said in a statement.

Rescuers have found 26 bodies and are looking for the other missing crew.

President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang delivered instructions to respond to the emergency, the statement said.

A separate forest fire that lasted two days in the northern province of Shanxi was brought under control on Sunday, the official Xinhua news agency said.

More than 9,000 people were evacuated from their homes due to that blaze, which did not cause any casualties.

In May 1987, the deadliest forest fire in recent Chinese history killed 119 in northeast Heilongjiang province, injuring 102 and leaving 51,000 homeless. 
&nbsp;

At least 26 firefighters died after hundreds were sent to tackle a forest blaze in remote mountains in southwest China's Sichuan province at the weekend, authorities said Monday.

At least 26 firefighters died after hundreds were sent to tackle a forest blaze in remote mountains in southwest China's Sichuan province at the weekend, authorities said Monday. Nearly 700 firefighters have deployed to battle the fire, which broke out on Saturday on steep terrain at an altitude of around 4,000 metres (13,000 feet) in Muli County, according to the ministry of emergency management. Authorities lost contact with 30 firefighters on Sunday afternoon after a sudden change in wind direction ignited a "huge fireball", the ministry said in a statement. Rescuers have found 26 bodies and are looking for the other missing crew. President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang delivered instructions to respond to the emergency, the statement said. A separate forest fire that lasted two days in the northern province of Shanxi was brought under control on Sunday, the official Xinhua news agency said. More than 9,000 people were evacuated from their homes due to that blaze, which did not cause any casualties. In May 1987, the deadliest forest fire in recent Chinese history killed 119 in northeast Heilongjiang province, injuring 102 and leaving 51,000 homeless.

26 firefighters die battling China forest fire

&quot;Welcome to Kurangani Hills, the Western Ghats for a glimpse into the forces of nature,&quot; says a welcome signboard ahead of the pristine mountain ranges near here.

It is an irony that it is the force of nature, a wildfire, that snuffed out 10 lives in the high hill ranges on the Western Ghats in this picturesque district, located over 500 kms from state capital Chennai and about 30 km from here.

Seven women and three men, part of a trekking expedition, were killed in the devastating forest fire in the hills on March 11.

The Tamil Nadu government has ordered a probe into the incident.

Nestled atop the Western Ghats, Kurangani Hill range is a nature lover&#39;s paradise albeit not as popular as Kodaikanal or Udhagamandalam (Ooty) in Tamil Nadu.

With its waterfalls, caves and rock crevices, diverse flora and fauna, tea, coffee and cardamom estates, Kurangani dotted by remote tribal hamlets is truly a paradise for trekkers.

Kurangani hills, which has been attracting adventure tourists, including from overseas, is known for its fast-changing weather and strong winds.

The hill ranges, with a peak altitude of around 8,000 metres, have several trekking trails to destinations such as Meeshapulimala, Top Station and Rhodo Valley.

Nearby Kolukkumalai hills are stated to be the home to highest tea estate in the world located at an altitude close to 8,000 feet, according to Tamil Nadu &#39;favtourism&#39; blog.

It roughly takes about four to five hours to complete the trek from Kurangani village, which is at the foothill, to reach the Top Station, whereas two-and-a-half hours are enough for the return trip, it says.

Bordering Kerala, Theni district, surrounded by the Western Ghats, is home to about 35,481 hectares of reserve and 31,094 hectares of unclassified forest. The district is also a favourite destination for film shoots.

According to government data, Theni is also a key route for the nature lovers to important tourist destinations such as Munnar and Thekkadi in neighbouring Kerala.

Coffee seeds, cardamom and mango are among the main produce of the district.

Several Tamil films including &#39;Myna&#39; and &#39;Kumki&#39; were shot on the Kurangani hills.

According to Green, an NGO working in the region on &quot;Endogenous Spices Tourism Project,&quot; Kurangani is unexploited and unexplored.

&quot;Kurangani region is a sea of ridges and mountain peaks separated by valleys filled with virgin forests of silver oak and eucalyptus and various plantations like tea, coffee and cardamom.&quot;

Trekking trails are available from Kurangani to Top Station (16 Kms) via Central Station and Muthuvakkudi, it says, adding soaring mountain peaks en route Top Station is a &quot;quintessence of the forces of nature.&quot;

Also, several endemic species are found in the shoal forest near the Central Station, its website says.

The NGO says that the region is popular for its wonderful faunal diversity. A vast spectrum of birdlife and other biodiversity is found in Central Station, Top Station and in the mountain ledges.

The common animals that inhabit this mountainous area are Nilgiri langur, lion tailed macaque, common monkeys, and panthers.

They are found in the Central and Top Station areas.

Western Ghats is on the world heritage list and according to UNESCO website, the ghats are &quot;Older than the Himalaya mountains.

The mountain chain of the Western Ghats represents geomorphic features of immense importance with unique biophysical and ecological processes.

The site&#39;s high montane forest ecosystems influence the Indian monsoon weather pattern.&quot;

Seven women and three men, part of a trekking expedition, were killed in the devastating forest fire in the hills on March 11

"Welcome to Kurangani Hills, the Western Ghats for a glimpse into the forces of nature," says a welcome signboard ahead of the pristine mountain ranges near here. It is an irony that it is the force of nature, a wildfire, that snuffed out 10 lives in the high hill ranges on the Western Ghats in this picturesque district, located over 500 kms from state capital Chennai and about 30 km from here. Seven women and three men, part of a trekking expedition, were killed in the devastating forest fire in the hills on March 11. The Tamil Nadu government has ordered a probe into the incident. Nestled atop the Western Ghats, Kurangani Hill range is a nature lover's paradise albeit not as popular as Kodaikanal or Udhagamandalam (Ooty) in Tamil Nadu. With its waterfalls, caves and rock crevices, diverse flora and fauna, tea, coffee and cardamom estates, Kurangani dotted by remote tribal hamlets is truly a paradise for trekkers. Kurangani hills, which has been attracting adventure tourists, including from overseas, is known for its fast-changing weather and strong winds. The hill ranges, with a peak altitude of around 8,000 metres, have several trekking trails to destinations such as Meeshapulimala, Top Station and Rhodo Valley. Nearby Kolukkumalai hills are stated to be the home to highest tea estate in the world located at an altitude close to 8,000 feet, according to Tamil Nadu 'favtourism' blog. It roughly takes about four to five hours to complete the trek from Kurangani village, which is at the foothill, to reach the Top Station, whereas two-and-a-half hours are enough for the return trip, it says. Bordering Kerala, Theni district, surrounded by the Western Ghats, is home to about 35,481 hectares of reserve and 31,094 hectares of unclassified forest. The district is also a favourite destination for film shoots. According to government data, Theni is also a key route for the nature lovers to important tourist destinations such as Munnar and Thekkadi in neighbouring Kerala. Coffee seeds, cardamom and mango are among the main produce of the district. Several Tamil films including 'Myna' and 'Kumki' were shot on the Kurangani hills. According to Green, an NGO working in the region on "Endogenous Spices Tourism Project," Kurangani is unexploited and unexplored. "Kurangani region is a sea of ridges and mountain peaks separated by valleys filled with virgin forests of silver oak and eucalyptus and various plantations like tea, coffee and cardamom." Trekking trails are available from Kurangani to Top Station (16 Kms) via Central Station and Muthuvakkudi, it says, adding soaring mountain peaks en route Top Station is a "quintessence of the forces of nature." Also, several endemic species are found in the shoal forest near the Central Station, its website says. The NGO says that the region is popular for its wonderful faunal diversity. A vast spectrum of birdlife and other biodiversity is found in Central Station, Top Station and in the mountain ledges. The common animals that inhabit this mountainous area are Nilgiri langur, lion tailed macaque, common monkeys, and panthers. They are found in the Central and Top Station areas. Western Ghats is on the world heritage list and according to UNESCO website, the ghats are "Older than the Himalaya mountains. The mountain chain of the Western Ghats represents geomorphic features of immense importance with unique biophysical and ecological processes. The site's high montane forest ecosystems influence the Indian monsoon weather pattern."

Tamil Nadu's Kurangani, trekkers' delight, turns into a nightmare

The trekkers who were caught in a forest fire in the Western Ghat&#39;s Kurangani Hill ranges did not have permission for an expedition, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami said on Monday.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/4-students-killed-in-forest-fire-in-tamil-nadu-reports-35409" target="_blank">25 students trapped in Tamil Nadu forest fire, Air Force called in</a>

Nine people, who were part of a 36-member trekking team, were killed in the incident on Saturday.

Three men and six women were among the deceased, a senior official said.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kurangani-forest-fire-at-least-rescued-and-9-confirmed-dead-rescue-operation-underway-35464" target="_blank">Tamil Nadu forest fire: At least 27 rescued and 9 confirmed dead, rescue operation underway</a>

&quot;Without permission, they embarked on a trekking expedition. Trekkers should climb hills only after taking the government&#39;s nod,&quot; the chief minister said in Salem, Tamil Nadu.

Stern action would be taken in the future against trekkers who undertake such expeditions without the state&#39;s permission, he said.

During the summer months of March, April and May permission to trek is not given as the high forest ranges are dry with the possibility of forest fires spreading fast, he said.

The chief minister told reporters that a probe had been ordered to ascertain the cause of the fire and how it spread along the Kurangani hill ranges in Theni district.

Out of the 17 people getting treatment in hospitals, five are in Theni and the rest in Madurai, he said, adding he will visit the injured at Madurai this evening.

The team comprised 24 people from Chennai and 12 from Tiruppur and Erode districts.

Nine people, who were part of a 36-member trekking team, were killed in the incident on Saturday

The trekkers who were caught in a forest fire in the Western Ghat's Kurangani Hill ranges did not have permission for an expedition, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami said on Monday. Also read: 25 students trapped in Tamil Nadu forest fire, Air Force called in Nine people, who were part of a 36-member trekking team, were killed in the incident on Saturday. Three men and six women were among the deceased, a senior official said. Also read: Tamil Nadu forest fire: At least 27 rescued and 9 confirmed dead, rescue operation underway "Without permission, they embarked on a trekking expedition. Trekkers should climb hills only after taking the government's nod," the chief minister said in Salem, Tamil Nadu. Stern action would be taken in the future against trekkers who undertake such expeditions without the state's permission, he said. During the summer months of March, April and May permission to trek is not given as the high forest ranges are dry with the possibility of forest fires spreading fast, he said. The chief minister told reporters that a probe had been ordered to ascertain the cause of the fire and how it spread along the Kurangani hill ranges in Theni district. Out of the 17 people getting treatment in hospitals, five are in Theni and the rest in Madurai, he said, adding he will visit the injured at Madurai this evening. The team comprised 24 people from Chennai and 12 from Tiruppur and Erode districts.

Trekkers caught in forest fire did not take permission for expedition: Tamil Nadu CM E Palaniswami

An Indian Air Force helicopter doused the fire at Kurangani hills area in Tamil Nadu that left nine persons dead, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday.

At least 16 Garud Commando Force personnel have been deployed to carry out&nbsp;search and rescue operation at the site, Sitharaman said, adding they were working on moving the dead bodies to a place from where they can be collected.

According to the minister, two helicopters have been engaged in the task of moving the bodies.

At least 27 people have so far been rescued from the site, out of which ten suffered minor injuries and eight were seriously hurt.

Police said the students from Coimbatore and Erode were taking training in Kurangai-Kozhuku Hill area when the fire suddenly broke out around noon.

The operation is underway and further details are awaited.

Nine people have been killed and 27 students rescued so far

An Indian Air Force helicopter doused the fire at Kurangani hills area in Tamil Nadu that left nine persons dead, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday. At least 16 Garud Commando Force personnel have been deployed to carry out search and rescue operation at the site, Sitharaman said, adding they were working on moving the dead bodies to a place from where they can be collected. According to the minister, two helicopters have been engaged in the task of moving the bodies. At least 27 people have so far been rescued from the site, out of which ten suffered minor injuries and eight were seriously hurt. Police said the students from Coimbatore and Erode were taking training in Kurangai-Kozhuku Hill area when the fire suddenly broke out around noon. The operation is underway and further details are awaited.

Tamil Nadu forest fire doused: Defence Minister

An Indian Air Force helicopter doused the fire at Kurangani hills area in Tamil Nadu that left nine persons dead, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday.

At least 16 Garud Commando Force personnel have been deployed to carry out&nbspsearch and rescue operation at the site, Sitharaman said, adding they were working on moving the dead bodies to a place from where they can be collected.

According to the minister, two helicopters have been engaged in the task of moving the bodies.

At least 27 people have so far been rescued from the site, out of which ten suffered minor injuries and eight were seriously hurt.

Police said the students from Coimbatore and Erode were taking training in Kurangai-Kozhuku Hill area when the fire suddenly broke out around noon.

The operation is underway and further details are awaited.

An Indian Air Force helicopter doused the fire at Kurangani hills area in Tamil Nadu that left nine persons dead, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday. At least 16 Garud Commando Force personnel have been deployed to carry out&nbspsearch and rescue operation at the site, Sitharaman said, adding they were working on moving the dead bodies to a place from where they can be collected. According to the minister, two helicopters have been engaged in the task of moving the bodies. At least 27 people have so far been rescued from the site, out of which ten suffered minor injuries and eight were seriously hurt. Police said the students from Coimbatore and Erode were taking training in Kurangai-Kozhuku Hill area when the fire suddenly broke out around noon. The operation is underway and further details are awaited.

A sharp increase in forest fires stoked record losses in global forest cover equivalent to the area of New Zealand in 2016, a Global Forest Watch report has said.

The alarming pace of destruction of 51% higher than the prior year with a loss of 73.4 million acres (29.7 million hectares), according to data from the University of Maryland&nbsp;was partially due to climate change that has increased the risks and intensity of wildfires by triggering temperature rise and drought in some places, the monitor said yesterday.

The 2015-2016 weather phenomenon El Nino, one of the strongest on record, also played a role, having created particularly dry conditions in the tropics. Many of those tropical areas are not naturally prone to catching fire&nbsp;but vulnerability increased due to poor management and was exacerbated by El Nino.

Deadly blazes in Brazil and Indonesia were among those contributing to the loss. This year, deadly blazes have again devastated regions of Portugal as well as California.

Brazil&#39;s Amazon region lost 9.1 million acres of tree cover more than three times that of 2015. And Portugal saw some 4% of its forests go up in smoke in 2016, the highest proportion of any other country.

Nearly half of all forests burned in the European Union in 2016 were in Portugal, where fire-prone eucalyptus and pine plantations along with poor soil encouraged the deadly flames.

The country is set to break the record for destroyed forests in 2017, with recent disasters killing dozens of people.

Early 2016 saw one of the largest fires ever recorded in Central Africa, destroying 37,000 acres of forest in the Republic of Congo.

Last year&#39;s Fort McMurray fire in Canada ravaged more than 1.5 million acres, causing $8.8 billion in damage.

Deforestation resulting from agriculture, logging and mining also contributed to the losses.

The report urged improving fire and forest management, including early warning systems, fire bans during dry seasons and more augmented investment in forest protection and restoration.

A sharp increase in forest fires stoked record losses in global forest cover equivalent to the area of New Zealand in 2016

A sharp increase in forest fires stoked record losses in global forest cover equivalent to the area of New Zealand in 2016, a Global Forest Watch report has said. The alarming pace of destruction of 51% higher than the prior year with a loss of 73.4 million acres (29.7 million hectares), according to data from the University of Maryland was partially due to climate change that has increased the risks and intensity of wildfires by triggering temperature rise and drought in some places, the monitor said yesterday. The 2015-2016 weather phenomenon El Nino, one of the strongest on record, also played a role, having created particularly dry conditions in the tropics. Many of those tropical areas are not naturally prone to catching fire but vulnerability increased due to poor management and was exacerbated by El Nino. Deadly blazes in Brazil and Indonesia were among those contributing to the loss. This year, deadly blazes have again devastated regions of Portugal as well as California. Brazil's Amazon region lost 9.1 million acres of tree cover more than three times that of 2015. And Portugal saw some 4% of its forests go up in smoke in 2016, the highest proportion of any other country. Nearly half of all forests burned in the European Union in 2016 were in Portugal, where fire-prone eucalyptus and pine plantations along with poor soil encouraged the deadly flames. The country is set to break the record for destroyed forests in 2017, with recent disasters killing dozens of people. Early 2016 saw one of the largest fires ever recorded in Central Africa, destroying 37,000 acres of forest in the Republic of Congo. Last year's Fort McMurray fire in Canada ravaged more than 1.5 million acres, causing $8.8 billion in damage. Deforestation resulting from agriculture, logging and mining also contributed to the losses. The report urged improving fire and forest management, including early warning systems, fire bans during dry seasons and more augmented investment in forest protection and restoration.

Forest fires contributed to record global tree cover loss: Report

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