Brazil’s southern Sao Paulo state is grappling with a series of devastating wildfires that have already claimed the lives of at least two people, according to officials on Saturday. The fires, which have placed 36 cities on high alert, continue to spread across the region, fueled by an intense heatwave and severe drought conditions.
Sao Paulo state Governor Tarcísio de Freitas announced that both local and federal authorities are intensifying their efforts to bring the wildfires under control. These fires are currently raging in the areas surrounding the city of Sao Paulo, one of Latin America’s most densely populated metropolises, home to over 11 million residents.
Governor de Freitas detailed the state’s robust response, revealing that approximately 7,300 government workers and volunteers have been mobilized across Sao Paulo state. Their mission is to “contain the advance and put out these fires,” a task made increasingly challenging by the harsh weather conditions. De Freitas expressed concern that the flames, already difficult to manage, could be exacerbated by strong winds, further spreading the devastation.
City remains untouched
While the city of Sao Paulo itself has largely remained untouched by the fires, the surrounding rural areas have not been as fortunate. Social media is flooded with videos showing vast expanses of countryside engulfed in smoke, with flames consuming trees along highways, creating an eerie and dangerous environment.
Tragedy struck the city of Urupês, where two industrial plant workers lost their lives on Friday while bravely attempting to fight back the encroaching flames. The government has not released detailed information about the circumstances surrounding their deaths, but the loss underscores the perilous conditions faced by those on the front lines.
These wildfires represent the worst that the region has seen in decades. According to the local news outlet Folha de S. Paulo, there have been an alarming 4,973 fires reported in the region this year alone, a stark indicator of the escalating environmental crisis.
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