RIBEIRÃO PRETO: The Brazilian government has taken a decision to deploy military aircraft as part of a “war” against wildfires ravaging the southeastern state of Sao Paulo, where dozens of cities are on high alert, local authorities said Sunday.
After a crisis meeting of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s cabinet, Environment Minister Marina Silva has announced a “war against the fire” and stated federal police were probing the “atypical situation” that has caused extensive disruption and damage.
Tarcisio de Freitas, the Sao Paulo governor announced a state of emergency in around 45 municipalities and stated that two people suspected of starting fires had been apprehended. Local authorities said that at least two factory workers passed away Friday in Urupes, in the northern part of the state, while fighting a fire, officials added. The army aircraft being deployed include a KC-390 Embraer, a converted forces transport craft that can drop up to 12,000 liters of water on fire zones.
Videos and footages posted on social media showed the city plunged into near-darkness by a dense layer of smoke. Some locals have had to evacuate. Governor de Freitas stated that 10 million reais was being allocated to help farmers who lose livestock or crops. Amid prolonged dearth, Sao Paulo state is facing its worst month for fires in decades, with 3,480 separate blazes identified, according to INPE, the National Institute for Space Research.
