Brazil's Pantanal, world's largest wetland, burns from above and below

Smoke from a fire is seen near Cuiaba River at Pantanal, in Pocone, Mato Grosso state, Brazil, August 28, 2020. Picture taken August 28, 2020. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

POCONÉ, Brazil (Reuters) - The world's largest wetland is ablaze, but the fire is often invisible.

In Brazil's Pantanal, the vegetation compacted under the marshy flood water during the wet season dries out as ponds and lagoons evaporate, leaving flammable deposits underground that can continue to smolder long after visible flames die down.