Brazil fire departments alert public to rising wildfire risks

Fire departments in Brazil are reporting an increase in wildfire-related emergencies as the dry season begins. In Codó, the Military Fire Brigade has noted a 22% rise in calls involving vegetation fires, a trend attributed to the extreme weather conditions caused by Super El Niño, which brings low humidity, high temperatures, and strong winds.

In the Vale do Juruá region, specifically in Cruzeiro do Sul, authorities have issued alerts following a large fire that burned approximately 50,000 square meters near the AC-405 highway. The military is currently conducting 'Operation Controlled Fire' across five municipalities in the region to manage the risks associated with September, one of the most critical months for fire propagation due to rising temperatures and decreased rainfall.

In both regions, fire departments are intensifying educational campaigns. They are urging the public to avoid improper fire use, such as burning trash, cleaning lots with flames, or discarding cigarettes in vegetation, as these actions can quickly escalate into structural fires or large-scale environmental damage.