02400naa a2200289 a 450000100080000000500110000800800410001910000190006024501380007926000090021752015220022665000170174865000140176565000180177965000240179770000150182170000240183670000190186070000220187970000210190170000200192270000190194270000220196170000170198370000210200077300890202121370952021-12-07       2021    bl uuuu     u00u1 u    #d1 aPIVELLO, V. R.  aUnderstanding Brazil's catastrophic firesbcauses, consequences and policy needed to prevent future tragedies.h[electronic resource]  c2021  aBrazil has experienced unprecedented wildfires in the last decade. Images of immense burnt areas or deadanimals that failed to escape the 2020 wildfires have shocked the world. To prevent or minimize furthersimilar disasters we must understand the factors that have led to these catastrophic events. The causes andconsequences of wildfires entail complex interactions between the biophysical and sociocultural spheres,and suitable management decisions require a sound scientific base. We present the recent panoramaof increasing fire outbreaks in the Brazilian biomes, and discuss the causes that have contributed tosuch fires, their impacts on the environment and overall consequences for human well-being, based onreviewing the extensive specialist literature, on authors? expert knowledge and information providedby environmental managers, researchers and politicians during a workshop organized to debate the wildfire issue in Brazil. Our up-to-date review is aimed at the academic public, environmental managersand decision- and policy-makers. First, we present evidence on the contrasting effects of fire on differentecosystems. Second, we outline the historic perceptions and policies related to fire use and managementin Brazil since its colonization to the present date. Third, we propose means to advance fire preventionand develop successful management strategies. Finally, we answer frequently asked questions to clarifyand/or demystify some fire-related issues not always properly addressed in the media.  aForest fires  aWildfires  aFogo Selvagem  aIncêndio Florestal1 aVIEIRA, I.1 aCHRISTIANINI, A. V.1 aRIBEIRO, D. B.1 aMENEZES, L. da S.1 aBERLINCKF, C. N.1 aMELOG, F. P. L.1 aMARENGO, J. A.1 aTORNQUISTI, C. G.1 aTOMAS, W. M.1 aOVERBECKE, G. E.  tPerspectives in Ecology and Conservationgv. 19, n. 3, july/sept., p. 233-255, 2021.