Brazil boosts firefighting operations in Pará and Maranhão amid rising fires

In the Pará city of Marabá, the 5th Firefighters Group (5º GBM) reported up to ten daily fire calls during the dry season. Colonel Aristides Furtado outlined prevention rules, including bans on urban burnings, mandatory fire‑prevention systems for businesses, and strict controls on rural burns. The unit uses real‑time satellite heat‑spot monitoring in coordination with civil defense, Ibama, and ICMBio, and has reinforced crews through the Operation Fênix partnership with the state environment secretariat.

Meanwhile, the Maranhão Military Fire Corps launched the seventh edition of Operation Maranhão Sem Queimadas, deploying more than 1,000 firefighters across 150 municipalities through December. Colonel Célio Roberto highlighted the use of Starlink satellite connectivity—30 antennas installed on vehicles and bases—to transmit data and images instantly. The operation focuses on the fire‑prone southern region, employs drones, satellite imagery, and a new monitoring platform, and is funded with R$45 million from the Amazon Fund and BNDES.