“A Crime Against Humanity” — Hothouse Wildfire Smoke Sickens 500,000 As Indonesian Officials Plan For Mass Evacuations

rainforest-fireGR:  Recovery of these tropical forests through the natural processes of ecological succession may not occur because of the intensity and large size of the fires. High intensity destroys buried propagules and soil microorganisms; large size slows propagule dispersal from surrounding unburned sites. An additional problem is that initial pioneer vegetation on burned sites is often highly flammable. This can increase fire frequency and prevent recovery of long-lived native plants.