Brazil's National Institute of Space Research (INPE) had detected more than 21,200 fires in the Pantanal biome, a figure that is already 69% higher than the full-year record from 2005, when INPE recorded roughly 12,500 fires. There were 8,106 fires in September 2020 alone—more than four times the historic average for the month. Climate change .Current predictive climate models indicate a progressive increase in the frequency of extreme events (e.g., extreme rainfalls and extended droughts). These events could affect the Pantanal´s ecosystem functioning, amplifying and worsening human modifications of hydrological and environmental conditions in the basin. Protected areas A portion of the Pantanal in Brazil has been protected as the Pantanal Matogrossense National Park. This park, established in September 1981, is located in the municipality of Poconé in the State of Mato Grosso, between the mouths of the Baía de São Marcos and the Gurupi Rivers. The park was designated a Ramsar Site of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on May 24, 1993. The SESC Pantanal Private Natural Heritage Reserve (Reserva Particular do Patrimonio Natural SESC Pantanal) is a privately owned reserve in Brazil, established in 1998 and in size. It is located in the north-eastern portion, known as "Poconé" Pantanal, not far from the Pantanal National Park. It is a mix of permanent rivers, seasonal streams, permanent and seasonal floodplain freshwater lakes, shrub-dominated wetlands and seasonally flooded forests, all dedicated to nature preservation, and was designated a Ramsar Site of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. Otuquis National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area is a national park of Bolivia in the Pantanal. The entrance to Otuquis National park is through the town of Puerto Suarez. Main cities Brasil Miranda, Mato Grosso do Sul Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul Barão de Melgaço, Mato Grosso Bodoquena, Mato Grosso do Sul Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul Cáceres, Mato Grosso Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul Coxim, Mato Grosso do Sul Ladário, Mato Grosso do Sul Poconé, Mato Grosso Bolivia Puerto Quijarro, Santa Cruz Puerto Suárez, Santa Cruz Paraguay Bahía Negra, Alto Paraguay Fuerte Olimpo, Alto Paraguay In fiction Pantanal appears as a natural wonder in the strategy game Civilization VI. John Grisham's novel The Testament largely takes place in the Pantanal. Pantanal is the title of a Brazilian-produced telenovela whose setting is the Brazilian Pantanal. The Jack McKinney Robotech novel Before the Invid Storm makes reference to former soldiers of the