Holocene fire and vegetation dynamics were closely linked in the Bolivian Amazon.
High Cerrado fire activity declined when forests expanded after 5800 cal BP.
Forest expanded in two steps (5800 BP and 2800 BP) due to moister climate.
Pollen and charcoal suggest agriculture and human use of fire since 6500 cal BP.
The arrival of Europeans after 500 cal BP did not cause settlement collapses.