Amazon Drought and Forest Fires Reach Record Levels

The Amazon rainforest experienced its worst drought in over a century during 2025, with river levels falling to historic lows and over 5 million hectares burning in the fire season—60% more area than the average annual burn in the 2010s. The drought, worsened by El Niño and deforestation-driven moisture loss, brought the Amazon closer to a tipping point where large sections could convert to savanna, threatening irreversible global carbon cycle disruption.