Brazil: Fires Destroy Over 10,000 Hectares in Less Than Three Days
Wildfire in the state of Para, Brazil, Sept. 2024. Photo: X/ @aprovinciadopa
September 9, 2024 Hour: 12:47 pm
On Sunday, authorities issued a red alert due to low humidity levels in Goiás, Mato Grosso, Pará, and Tocantins.
Since last Thursday, Brazilian authorities have confirmed that wildfires have burned more than 10,000 hectares in the Chapada dos Veadeiros region and the Pouso Alto Environmental Protection Area in Goiás.
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Federal and state firefighting teams are working to control the situation, with two aircraft deployed since Sunday.
The Chapada dos Veadeiros is affected by an “underground fire,” which occurs beneath the roots of plants and is more difficult to combat. Teams are working by spraying affected areas and digging trenches around fire hotspots to prevent the heat from spreading.
The Goiás Military Police arrested three people caught starting fires within the state. As of this Saturday, more than 40 calls had been reported.
On Sunday, the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) issued a red alert due to the dangers caused by humidity levels dropping below 12% in Goiás, Mato Grosso, Pará, and Tocantins. The same situation is occurring in other regions of Brazil, with high temperatures and a decline in air quality. The country is also facing a new heat wave, with capitals recording highs of up to 40ºC (104ºF).
The National Institute for Space Research (INPE) confirmed the existence of 3,388 active fire outbreaks as of September 9, with O Cerrado being the territory with the highest number of fires (52.5 percent).
“In the last 24 hours, the State of Goiás is the one with the highest number of fires, with 574 outbreaks recorded. It is followed by Mato Grosso (471) and Pará (436),” reported the local newspaper Poder360, adding that 32,360 fire outbreaks were recorded between September 1 and 9.
teleSUR/ JF Sources: Poder360 – RPP
