Brazilian Federal Police investigates 18 fire outbreaks in Pantanal

With two bases in the region, Federal Government is providing support to municipalities that declared emergency state. Around 500 federal agents are engaged in fighting wildfires

Published in Jul 02, 2024 06:56 PM Updated in Jul 02, 2024 07:08 PM

Wildfire combat operations engage 134 IBAMA fire brigade officers, 82 members of the National Public Security Force, 193 IBAMA and ICMBio staff and 92 from the Command of the 6th Naval District - Credit: Marcelo Camargo/Agência Brasil

The Federal Government identified 18 fire outbreaks in Pantanal and the Federal Police are investigating possible culprits, Environment and Climate Change Minister Marina Silva said Monday (July 1). The announcement came after she participated in a Situation Room meeting at Planalto Palace to discuss firefighting operations in the region. The biome is undergoing the worst drought in 70 years, intensified by climate change and one of the strongest El Niño phenomena in history.

Most of the fires are taking place in private properties. We are making it clear that the fires have not been caused by lightning. This is human activity. We have concrete information about where the fires propagated from.”
Marina Silva, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change

“Most of the fires are taking place in private properties. We are making it clear that the fires have not been caused by lightning. This is human activity. We have concrete information about where the fires propagated from,” said Marina Silva.

The minister said that the Federal Government established a base south of Corumbá, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul and another at Km 100 of the Transpantaneira highway to provide strategic planning and logistics capabilities for the firefighting operations. “From now on, we will issue a weekly newsletter with consolidated information about the operations and everything that’s being done. It will probably be issued every Monday,” she announced.

Regional Integration and Development Minister Waldez Góes discussed how his ministry is providing support to cities in the region. “Last week, 12 municipalities declared emergency state. The Federal Government summarily recognized the situation and, together with the state government, is now providing assistance according to the municipal work plans, because some of them may need water, food and fuel,” he stated.

MOBILIZATION — Around 500 Federal Government professionals are engaged in the operation: 134 fire brigade officers from IBAMA (the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources), 82 members of the National Public Security Force to support fire combat actions in federal Conservation Units, 193 staff from IBAMA and ICMBio (the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation) and 92 from the Command of the 6th Naval District.

In addition to eight helicopters, the operation in Pantanal also relies on a Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira/FAB) KC-390 aircraft capable of delivering 12,000 liters of water against the fires. This is the first time this model has been deployed in firefighting.

VISIT — Last Friday (June 28), ministers Marina Silva and Simone Tebet (Planning and Budget) and Mato Grosso do Sul Governor Eduardo Riedel flew over the Corumbá region, where they observed the fire damage. They met at the Pantanal Fire Prevention Brigade headquarters and at the local Fire Department. The meetings were also attended by the National Secretary for Civil Protection and Defense, Wolnei Wolff; the National Secretary of the Public Security Fund, Camila Pintarelli (representing the Ministry of Justice and Public Security); the deputy head of Joint Operations from the Ministry of Defense, Division General Marcelo Arantes; as well as state parliamentarians.