Intensification of drought-associated wildfires challenges actions for Amazonia’s sustainable development

• Drought–fire feedback is accelerating the collapse of the Amazon ecosystem. • Fires are increasingly linked to forest degradation rather than deforestation. • MCWD anomalies reveal a persistent and intensifying drying trend in the Amazon. • Governance gaps hinder Brazil’s capacity to manage drought–fire interactions. • Fragmented climate and fire policies weaken coordinated responses to degradation. Between 2023 and 2024, Brazil experienced one of the most severe droughts in the century, with temperatures in the Amazon reaching 2–4 °C above average. Amplified by El Niño and North Atlantic warming, the drought disrupted the hydrological cycle and essential ecosystem services, affecting agriculture, transportation, and the livelihoods of urban, rural, and Indigenous communities. This event revealed substantial shortcomings in Brazil’s fire governance framework. Moreover, it demonstrated that drought conditions exacerbate Brazil’s susceptibility to wildfires, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated and immediate policy action. This study maps and quantifies hydrological stress, forest degradation, and fire dynamics associated with the drought, identifying critical implications for environmental management. Our analysis reveals the intensification of a drought–fire–degradation feedback loop. Wildfire-affected areas increased by 9%, and degradation alerts rose by 19% in relation to long-term average levels (2016-2024). At the drought’s peak (in 2024), 4.2 Mha of fire-affected areas were detected. Maximum Cumulative Water Deficit anomalies exceeded historical thresholds, signaling a continuous dry increase in Brazil. These results highlight the urgent need for integrated fire governance. This includes comprehensive environmental education, enhanced early warning systems, targeted investments in ecosystem restoration, and stronger coordination between federal and state policies. By linking scientific evidence to actionable policy recommendations, this work guides decision-makers seeking to reduce socio-environmental risks and strengthen climate adaptation in the Amazon.