# Air pollution and industrial fires in Manaus > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/air-pollution-and-industrial-fires-in-manaus > Updated: 2026-10-19T13:16:00.000Z. Sources: 80. Developments: 4. The environmental crisis in the Amazon continues to escalate, with wildfires in the states of Amazonas and Pará driving critical air pollution. While Manaus previously recorded extreme PM2.5 concentrations of 401.4 µg/m³, recent data shows Pará leading the nation with 922 active fire outbreaks. In Santarém, Pará, the Air Quality Index reached 260, with fine particulate matter at 185 µg/m³, far exceeding the Brazilian legal limit of 32 µg/m³. In Amazonas, the situation has intensified with 40 municipalities declared in a state of emergency due to drought and fires, affecting over 100,000 families. The smoke has caused visible ecological harm, including reports of burned birds near Parque dos Bilhares. In response to the deteriorating conditions, the municipal government in Manaus has suspended in-person classes and outdoor activities, advising the use of PFF2 or N95 respirators. Federal intervention has intensified. The Brazilian Ministry of Defense has established a Joint Staff of the Armed Forces in Manaus and increased the firefighting aircraft fleet to 16, including the deployment of KC-390 Millennium aircraft. Financial support includes R$ 14 million released by the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development, with nearly R$ 100 million in additional emergency funds under analysis. To manage the public health impact, a decentralized base of the National Health System (SUS) is being deployed to monitor and assist affected populations. Legal actions are also underway as eleven people have been arrested in Autazes on suspicion of involvement with the fires. Additionally, Ibama has issued R$ 2 million in fines for illegal burning, and has embargoed 12 areas totaling 250 hectares in the municipalities of Autazes and Careiro da Várzea, as investigations continue into whether these fires are being intentionally set for political or land-use reasons. ## Claims - The concentration of fine particles (PM2.5) reached 401.4 µg/m³. (corroborated by 15 sources) - Manaus recorded the worst air quality globally on Saturday morning. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The Air Quality Index (AQI+) in Manaus reached 657 points. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The city of Manaus suspended outdoor activities due to the air quality crisis. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Smoke in Manaus has led to the suspension of in-person classes. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Mayor Renato Junior stated that Manaus is suffering from fires originating in other municipalities and states. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Heat spots in Amazonas increased from 226 to 705 within a 24-hour period. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Pará has 922 active fire outbreaks according to INPE. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The air quality index in Santarém reached 260. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Fine particulate matter in Santarém was measured at 185 micrograms per cubic meter. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The Brazilian legal limit for fine particulate matter is a daily average of 32 micrograms per cubic meter. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The Ministry of Defense increased the firefighting aircraft fleet to 16. (corroborated by 5 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-19: Amazon Rainforest fires trigger health crisis and environmental fines in Brazil Wildfires in the Brazilian Amazon have caused critical air pollution in Manaus and Santarém, leading to school closures, R$ 2 million in Ibama fines, and a reinforced federal firefighting task force. 28 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/amazon-rainforest-fires-cause-severe-air-pollution-in-brazil ### 2026-10-17: Amazonas faces severe wildfire and air quality crisis Amazonas faces a severe wildfire and air quality crisis. Manaus recorded dangerous pollution levels, prompting the federal government to deploy 16 aircraft and R$ 14 million to combat the fires. 39 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/manaus-faces-dangerous-air-quality-due-to-wildfire-smoke ### 2026-10-17: Amazon region faces surge in wildfires and environmental fines Authorities in the Brazilian Amazon are issuing hundreds of millions of Reais in fines to combat illegal deforestation and widespread wildfires affecting Mato Grosso and Amazonas. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/manaus-court-suspends-activities-in-industrial-district-after-major-fire ### 2026-10-09: Manaus faces severe air pollution and smoke from regional wildfires Manaus is experiencing hazardous air quality and dense smoke from regional wildfires, leading to suspended school classes, university activities, and health alerts for residents due to extreme particulate PM2.5 33 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/manaus-air-quality-reaches-worst-levels-of-the-year-due-to-smoke --- Cite as: Air pollution and industrial fires in Manaus. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/air-pollution-and-industrial-fires-in-manaus