Brazil “at war” against fires in southeast, with state of emergency declared in 45 cities

It’s Brazil “In the War on Fire and Crime”. This is what Environment Minister Marina Silva assessed on Sunday, August 25, when a state of emergency was declared in 45 cities in São Paulo state (south-east).

At the end of a crisis meeting with leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the minister announced that investigations had been launched by the Federal Police to investigate the causes of the bushfires that have affected the region for the past few days. “The police will investigate and the government will work with all states to fight the fire.”Lula later said on social media

Sao Paulo Governor Darcisio de Freitas, who declared a state of emergency in 45 municipalities, announced on Sunday the arrest of two people suspected of starting the arson attacks. One of the worst affected areas was the city of Ribeirao Preto, home to more than 700,000 people, about 300 km from São Paulo, in the heart of an important agricultural center.

“Last night around 7pm I went out and I was having trouble breathing. I have lived here for 32 years and have never seen anything like this.”Carlos Rodriguez, a 66-year-old retiree, told Agence France-Presse. “I was really scared. (…) I was locked in the house because I was suffering from rhinitis.Nazare Loureiro dos Santos, a 71-year-old beautician, said he was sheltering under an umbrella while authorities hoped Sunday’s rain would help ease the severity of the situation.

“It’s Apocalyptic”

In an upscale housing estate, residents had to evacuate their homes as flames approached, G1 news site reported.

Several videos circulating on social networks show Riberao Prieto engulfed in darkness since Saturday afternoon, with thick smoke and strong winds. “It’s apocalyptic. Lots of wind, lots of smoke, we can’t see the city anymore. More at 5 pm »Says the author of one of his videos, wearing a protective mask while leaving his home and covering his eyes due to the smoke.

Two factory workers died on Friday while trying to put out a fire in Urupes, in the north of the state. Flights were canceled and roads closed because of the fire, which destroyed crops and killed livestock. According to the town hall of Santo Antonio do Aracangua, about forty cattle were burned to death on a ranch.

An Embraer KC-390, a Brazilian Air Force troop transport aircraft converted to a 12,000 liter capacity water bomber, arrived at Ribeirao Preto during the night from Saturday to Sunday. But according to Minister Marina Silva, “He was still unable to function because of the amount of smoke. » “This gives an idea of ​​the scale of the problem.”she lamented.

Amazon is also on fire

Clouds of smoke were seen Sunday in several Brazilian cities in other regions, including the capital Brasilia (Central-West).

The state of São Paulo is experiencing its worst August since records began in 1998 when 3,480 homes were identified, according to data collected by National Institute for Space Research (Inbay) satellites. This is twice as much as last year.

Lula’s government is a situation related to climate change. “We cannot continue to deny the climate crisis. We must fight climate change through research, investment and funding, including in rich countries that have already destroyed their forests. The Global South cannot pass the bill alone”Brazil’s president said on Sunday at X.

In the state of São Paulo, an exceptional drought favors the spread of fires in the Amazon (north) and raging forest fires. More than 48,674 fires have been detected since the beginning of the year in the planet’s largest tropical forested region, a 76% increase compared to the same period last year.