The extent of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon grew significantly in the last 20 years. Approximately 400,000 km2 of tropical forest were cleared from 1978 to 1998. Land conversion to pasture and crop areas were the main sources of deforestation, though the contribution of logging increased...

Fire has been traditionally used by farmers as mean of land preparation and, therefore, benefiting agriculture and pasture. However, fire application may also generate private and social costs. This study attempts to measure these fire use costs in the Brazilian Amazon. Fire control can be lost...