Mato Grosso imposes fire ban on rural lands until Nov. 30

A state decree (No. 2.015/2026) bans the use of fire for land‑clearing and management on rural properties in Mato Grosso’s Amazon, Cerrado and Pantanal biomes. The prohibition began on 1 July and will remain in effect through 30 November, aiming to curb forest‑fire risk during the dry season intensified by the 2026 El Niño event.

Violations can trigger administrative fines, equipment seizure and criminal liability under Brazil’s environmental law. All permits for controlled burns issued by the State Environment Secretariat are suspended, except those carried out by public agencies tasked with fire prevention and suppression. The state fire brigade has expanded monitoring via a central situation room and seven regional rooms to detect and respond to hotspots in real‑time.

The Association of Mato Grosso Cattle Breeders (Acrimat) urged producers to respect the ban, warning that uncontrolled fires threaten pastures, infrastructure, livestock and lives. Acrimat president Nando Conte emphasized prevention as the most cost‑effective protection for both the environment and rural assets.