Fires surge in Brazil's Amazon, fueled by El Niño and climate change
Officials sent aircraft and brigade crews as 1,679 fires in Amazonas state drove smoke across towns and triggered emergency declarations.
- Brazil's Amazonas state recorded 1,679 fires during the first two weeks of October, a 253% surge compared to last year, triggering states of emergency in at least 36 municipalities.
- Climate patterns and human activity are fueling the surge, while seasonal rains have been slow to provide relief and officials suspect fires were deliberately set to clear land for farming.
- Poor air quality has choked residents in Manaus, home to over 2 million, where public schools closed on Wednesday; retired farmer Luiz Rios in Autazes reported the "situation here is critical."
- Environment minister João Paulo Capobianco spotted fires inside protected forests on Sunday, citing deliberate arson, as Brazil's federal government deployed aircraft and brigade crews to combat the flames.
- Carlos Durigan of the Amazon Environmental Research Institute warned that extreme heat and Water stress are creating a dangerous situation, threatening biodiversity, public health, and land productivity.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Fires surge in Brazil's Amazon, fueled by El Niño and climate change
El Niño, climate change and human activity are fueling a surge in fires deep in Brazil's Amazon this month, as firefighters race to contain blazes whose smoke is choking residents and causing events to be cancelled in nearby towns.
In the first two weeks of October there were 1,679 fires in the Brazilian state of Amazonas, representing an increase of 253%
The worsening of fires in Brazilian Amazonia is affecting thousands of residents, with the help of El Niño and climate change. Fires in the State of Amazonas increase 253% in October.
There were 1,679 fires in the state of Amazonas in the first two weeks of October
In the municipality of Autazes in the state of Amazonas (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)
Portal GMC Online
O LiberalIn Manaus, the classes of the municipal network are suspended and residents have been directed to wear masks because of the clouds of smoke that spread by
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
