A series of record-breaking wildfires are currently burning in several regions in Brazil, threatening residents and some of the most important ecological systems.

Brazil is enduring its worst drought since nationwide measurements began over seven decades ago, with 59% of the country under stress — an area roughly half the size of the U.S.

Brazil is facing its most widespread and severe drought in over 70 years, with vast areas experiencing wildfires and river levels dropping to historic lows.Fabiano Maisonnave reports for The Associated Press.

Left: A drone view shows floating houses and boats which are stranded due to the drought affecting the Rio Negro, the largest left tributary of the Amazon River, at the Cacau Pirera district in Iranduba, Amazonas state, Brazil September 2, 2024. Photo by Bruno Kelly/REUTERS

The worst drought on record has lowered the water level of the rivers in the Amazon basin to historic lows, in some cases drying up riverbeds that were previously navigable waterways. The Solimoes, one of the main tributaries of the mighty Amazon River whose waters originate in the Peruvian Andes,

By Shanna Hanbury The Amazon Rainforest’s main rivers are drying out due to an unprecedented drought exacerbated by climate change. Levels have continued to drop since Mongabay’s Sept 9. feature by Fernanda Wenzel.