The tropical forests of South America encompass the vast Amazon and Atlantic Forest regions and are recognized for their remarkable biodiversity and carbon sequestration capacity. However, these valuable ecosystems are becoming increasingly threatened by climate change and wildfires. In this chapter, we analyze important aspects of fire in these tropical forests, including historical fire regimes, compounding effects of human activities and climate on fire, fauna, and forest resilience, as well as strategies to enhance fire management. Historically, forest fires have occurred at relatively low frequencies. More recently, extensive deforestation and climate change significantly increased the vulnerability of forests to fire. The consequences are extensive and affect biodiversity, carbon storage, and human wellbeing. In the short term, fires kill small, thin-barked trees, but over time, remaining large trees become more susceptible to windstorms and drought stresses. Fire also has immediate and long-term effects on fauna, including reductions in abundance and diversity, particularly among invertebrates. A rapid response to the increased frequency of wildfires is crucial for maintaining the resilience of tropical forests, safeguarding biodiversity, and mitigating climate change. We emphasize the importance of proactive conservation and management strategies that integrate scientific understanding with traditional knowledge to effectively address these challenges.