The social, emotional and economic aspects as secondary damages of the forest fire

Abstract

This study aims to exemplify the secondary damage caused by forest fires, in addition to analyzing the ability of a resilient ecosystem to restore its balance. In Brazil, for example, one of the regions most affected by the fire and, consequently, by its secondary damages is the Pantanal - a biome partially located in the cities of Corumbá, Ladario, Aquidauana and Miranda, in Mato Grosso Sul. Corumbá, already in early 2019, led the national ranking of fires, according to INPE - National Institute for Space Research. In 2018, there were 2,380 outbreaks of forest fires and in 2017, 7,446 outbreaks. When reporting a forest fire, we impulsively analyze physical parameters (vegetation, climate, relief, fire behavior, etc.), as well as technologies and systems for fire prevention and combat. Social, emotional and economic aspects play a secondary role, but no less important. Smoke and soot invade the cities, driving some social damage, such as: affected health (pulmonary infection, asthma and even cancer, due to inhalation, in addition to burning in the eyes, requiring masks as prevention); overcrowded hospitals; affected daily activities; schools with suspended classes; impaired vehicle traffic and navigation; homeless and homeless; shaken emotional; among others. Economic damages, in turn, arise as a "side effect" of these social damages, in addition to the need to hire specialized staff, provide fuel, food, first aid, vessels and aircraft, when necessary. If there is a fire in planted forests, the damage is very great: environmental, a pulp production chain is lost; and, economic, the rural producer's income is lost. Both atmospheric pollution and the reduction of biodiversity abruptly affect a resilient ecosystem that, as a consequence, brings incessant changes in the regime, forming a negative cycle. In this sense, the community cannot be seen as part of the problem because, despite the fact that more than 90% of fires are caused by human beings, this must be seen as part of the solution, since man promotes knowledge, information and forms of fire prevention and combat, so that this integration can achieve concrete results.