Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil have declared emergencies due to wildfires in the Pantanal.
This declaration allows federal assistance through the Civil Defense and funding for firefighting efforts.
Ibama President Rodrigo Agostinho is leading the response in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso’s capital.
Federal and state agencies are jointly planning these efforts. Agostinho highlights the need for teamwork to address the fires effectively.
The emergency in Mato Grosso, declared on November 14, 2023, will last 60 days. It reinforces an earlier measure extending a ban on burning in the state.
The decree points out climate issues like drought, heat, and strong winds, which worsen fire risks and health impacts.
Fires in Mato Grosso are mainly in national and state parks, and private lands. There’s concern about the fires spreading to northern Mato Grosso do Sul.
Additional resources, including helicopters and boats, are being deployed to combat these.
Ibama and ICMBio have increased their presence in the Pantanal since July, with 299 staff working on fire control.
The fires began on October 21 from lightning strikes in various areas. Since January, federal plans have been in place for fire prevention in the Pantanal.
The “Action Plan for Integrated Fire Management” was launched in May, focusing on prevention techniques like controlled burns.
Mato Grosso do Sul’s emergency decree, also recent, will last 90 days. It covers municipalities most affected by the fires.
A report shows a significant increase in the Pantanal’s burned area compared to 2022.
The state faces a severe heatwave, with high temperatures and low humidity, leading to widespread fires.