Brazil implements emergency measures in 45 local areas.
In August, over 3000 forest fires were recorded in Brazil, marking the highest number in 26 years. As a result, an emergency was declared in 45 municipalities. Farmers are expressing concerns over their crops. However, not all the fires are of a natural origin, despite the ongoing drought.
Brazil's southeastern region is currently battling severe forest fires. The state of São Paulo declared a state of emergency in 45 municipalities. Over 15,000 firefighters, both professional and volunteer, are fighting these intense fires, as reported by the government. Initially, four military aircraft were deployed to combat the flames and monitor affected areas, as stated by Minister of Regional Development Waldez Goes on Sunday. The highest alert level is active in over 40 cities in the state. Two individuals were apprehended for arson.
Ribeirão Preto, an inland city with a population of 700,000, was particularly affected by the fires. Some residents have had to evacuate their homes due to the fires. Thick smoke engulfed large portions of the region, as reported by the media. Authorities advised individuals with respiratory issues to stay indoors and keep their windows closed.
Videos circulating on the internet depicted Ribeirão Preto shrouded in a thick layer of smoke on Saturday. A passerby, wearing a face mask, commented, "It's apocalyptic. There's a lot of wind, a lot of smoke - you can't even see the city, and it's five o'clock in the afternoon."
On Friday, two factory workers lost their lives in Urupês, northern São Paulo, while attempting to contain the flames, according to official reports. Governor Tarcisio de Freitas announced financial aid totaling 10 million reais (approximately 1.6 million euros) for farmers affected by the fires. According to official statistics, dozens of cattle were burned on a farm in San Antonio do Aracangua.
According to data from Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (Inpe), which monitors satellite activity, 3175 fires were reported in São Paulo state between August 1 and 23. No more August fires have been reported in the state since 1998, according to a report by Agência Brasil, a Brazilian news agency.
Severe forest fires are also affecting other regions in Brazil, including the Amazon region, Pantanal wetland, and Cerrado savannah. The Brazilian forest fire season typically lasts from June to October. Deforested areas are often set ablaze to create new grazing lands and farmlands for soybean cultivation. This year, the situation has been worsened by a severe drought, which experts attribute to the weather phenomenon El Niño and climate change.
The European Union has expressed concern over the ongoing forest fires in Brazil and their impact on the environment. The European Union has urged the Brazilian government to take necessary measures to combat the fires and protect the Amazon rainforest, a globally significant ecosystem.
