Amazon burning: What we know so far

Amazon produces approximately 20 per cent of the oxygen in the earth’s atmosphere and is called the "lungs of the planet". Now, it is on fire; so huge that they were visible from space.

Amazon forest fire, amazon fire, Brazil president on Amazon fires, Fires in the Amazon, Amazon rainforest fires, amazon fire photos, — Smoke billows during a fire in an area of the Amazon rainforest near Humaita, Amazonas State, Brazil, Brazil August 17, 2019. Picture Taken August 17, 2019. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

Environmentalists and governments worldwide have shown deep concern over the state of Amazon rainforest, which has been ravaged by multiple forest fires in the past several days. The largest tropical rainforest in the world, Amazon produces approximately 20 per cent of the oxygen in the earth’s atmosphere and is called the “lungs of the planet”. The massive fire is alarming as it not only threatens the rich biodiversity of the forest but also threatens the atmosphere due to the release of massive amounts of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.