Goiás and Tocantins ban fire use during 2026 dry season

The Government of Goiás declared a state‑wide environmental emergency for 120 days, citing the severe drought and high wildfire risk in 2026. The decree suspends any use of fire on vegetation throughout the state from 1 July to 31 October 2026, with exemptions for indigenous peoples, traditional communities and family farmers who follow legal procedures. It also enables rapid procurement of equipment, temporary staff and other measures to strengthen fire‑prevention and response capacities.

In neighboring Tocantins, a new ordinance revokes all existing authorisations for controlled burns and bars the issuance of new permits until 31 October 2026. The suspension does not affect technical fire‑prevention activities in protected areas, educational uses of fire, or subsistence agriculture by traditional or indigenous communities, which must be reported in advance to the Institute Natureza do Tocantins. Both states aim to curb the spread of wildfires in the Cerrado during the critical dry season.