Pará, Brazil logs 115 heat spots, ranks fifth nationwide in forest fire incidents

Between 5 and 11 July, the Brazilian state of Pará registered 115 heat‑spot incidents, placing it fifth among all states for forest‑fire activity. The national total for the same period was 1 153 spots, with Altamira, a city in southwestern Pará, reporting 30 fires – the third‑highest count in the country, after Paranatinga (MT) and Mateiros (TO).

The Ministry of Health links the surge to the El Niño phenomenon, which has intensified regional drought, raised temperatures and heightened the risk of smoke‑related respiratory problems, especially for children, the elderly and people with pre‑existing conditions. The weekly "Monitoramento de Incêndios Florestais para Vigilância em Saúde" report, released on 21 July, feeds data to SUS to guide public‑health responses and preventive measures.

Authorities urge residents to stay informed, limit outdoor activities when air quality worsens, keep windows closed and follow medical advice if they have respiratory ailments.