Water Abstraction Points and Infrastructure Constraints for Wildfire Suppression in a Remote and Fire-Prone Amazon–Cerrado Transition Zone in Brazil

Wildfires pose a major threat to tropical ecosystems, particularly the Amazon Rainforest and the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado), especially during the dry season, when fire risk peaks and water availability is the lowest. This study presents an integrated assessment of the spatial and temporal dynamics of fire hotspots, land use and land cover change (LULC), and hydrological and transport infrastructure conditions to identify strategic surface water abstraction points for wildfire suppression in Nova Ubiratã, Mato Grosso, Brazil. From 1998 to 2020, agricultural areas expanded by 492%, whereas forest cover declined significantly. A strong correlation (r = 0.89; p < 0.05) was observed between the annual forest loss and hotspot occurrence, indicating that deforestation is a key driver of fire activity. September recorded the highest number of hotspots (21% of the total), coinciding with the official fire prohibition period, and the lowest recorded streamflows. Using Q95 reference flow and official water abstraction data, we identified 40 viable water collection points, most with sufficient flow (> 0.2 m3/s) and ground access for tanker trucks. This spatially explicit approach supports more efficient and cost-effective fire-suppression logistics and can be replicated in other fire-prone regions. The results offer practical tools for local fire-response planning, resource allocation, and integrated water-resource management. This monitoring approach not only improves fire suppression logistics but also contributes to sustainable water resources and land-use management in ecologically sensitive areas.