Since late 2022, Mikel Konate has been deeply involved in this long-term project that examines the complex web of factors contributing to the emergence of megafires – catastrophic events that are reshaping landscapes and threatening communities worldwide. He has led this project under the banner of Sonda Internacional, collaborating with fellow journalists to produce comprehensive coverage of this pressing environmental crisis through in-depth reports and expert interviews. During summer seasons, Konate embeds with firefighting crews on the front lines, providing firsthand documentation of their crucial work and the challenges they face.
Through careful documentation and investigative journalism, the project explores a confluence of factors – including widespread rural abandonment, shifts in traditional land use practices, overly restrictive administrative measures, and the absence of cohesive, long-term policy frameworks – contributes to the emergence of unprecedented fire dynamics. These interconnected elements not only amplify the scale and intensity of wildfires but also render conventional fire suppression techniques increasingly ineffective.
The project combines visual storytelling with scientific research to show how these interconnected factors, with climate change acting as a powerful catalyst, are creating conditions that favor the development of increasingly frequent and severe wildfires. By presenting diverse content, this work explores not only their causes and consequences but also the psychological impact on affected communities and explores possible viable solutions. Through collaboration with academics, experts, forest managers, rural communities, and firefighting professionals, this long-term project provides a comprehensive view of one of the most significant environmental challenges of our time.
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