Smoke from Amazon forest fires chokes the city of Manaus in Brazil

Arabia Weather - For several days, Manaus, which is considered the largest city in the Brazilian state of Amazonas, has been experiencing negative effects as a result of a toxic cloud of smoke emanating from forest fires ignited by what the government described as “criminals.”

Due to these events, the city with a population of about two million people was forced to cancel some public events, including the marathon.

Massive fires in the Amazon forest

Fires in the Amazon region have caused a blanket of gray smoke to appear over the northern capital of Amazonas state since Wednesday. The Global Air Quality Index considers the city's air quality to be among the worst in the world as a result of these fires.

“This smoke is hurting us,” said Maria Luisa Reyes, a 72-year-old Manaus resident. “People don’t realize the negative impact of forest fires, and many animals are losing their lives.”

She added: "It is sad and creates extreme difficulties for us. I have to wear a mask in order not to breathe this toxic air, because I already suffer from health problems."

Amazon forest fires cause great dangers in the state of Amazonas

Marcio Garcia, director of the government's Department of Public Health Emergencies, said there are "significant risks, particularly in terms of respiratory diseases" for those exposed to smoke.

Amazonas, the largest state in Brazil, is experiencing the worst October in terms of fires in the past 25 years, according to data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE).

INPE has recorded about 2,770 fire outbreaks so far this month through Thursday, an increase of 154 percent compared to the same period in 2022.

Smoke from forest fires fills the air in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, October 12, 2023. Edmar Barros / AFP

The government announced on Friday its intention to send two helicopters and 149 additional firefighters to bolster efforts by an almost identical number of firefighters battling the blazes in that area.

Environment Minister Marina Silva blamed “criminals” who started these fires with the aim of clearing the forest for agricultural purposes. At a press conference on Friday, Silva stated: “There are no natural fires in the Amazon.” "The situation is very dangerous," she stressed.

It is worth noting that these fires come at a time when the region is witnessing an exceptionally severe drought, which is further complicated by the El Nino climate phenomenon, which has caused a noticeable decline in the levels of some rivers.

Source: AFP