Since August, the state has recorded around 1,900 fires. In the first 11 days of November alone, there were more than 600 registrations. The meteorologist at the Institute of Scientific and Technological Research of the State of Amapá (Iepa), Jefferson Vilhena, warns that if the scenario continues, the situation could worsen.
"If this configuration continues like this, in the next 20 days or in the next month ending the month of November, we should be reaching more than 1,000 fires in the month of November alone, which is a worrying situation. We know that in the month of November, it is the peak of fires. There are already decrees prohibiting burning in the interior. There is already civil defense, firefighters, everyone fighting these fires, but unfortunately, the weather, it is not helping for minimize these outbreaks”, he explained.
According to the meteorologist, the scenario is influenced by the fact that November is historically the period with the highest incidence of hot spots. Fires carried out to clean areas also contribute to the increase in numbers.
"Climatologically speaking, November is a period of transition from the drought to the rainy season. Farmers already have this in mind, they already know how the climate works. So, normally, during the month of November, it would be considered the last month of the window to be able to clean their land. And often, the only way of cleaning that these farmers know is burning. So, that's why the number of fires increases so much during the month of November", he said.
"We can already see some clouds in the sky, but the rains continue to be very localized. What years ago we would already be seeing some rains during this period, already marking the end of the drought, reducing the temperature, we will only be able to see this towards the end of the month or the month of December", he declared.
In 2025, Amapá had recorded 387 fires by October 29, the lowest number in the last three years, according to the Military Fire Department (CBM). The increase observed in November is attributed to weather conditions favorable to the spread of fire.
"The drought makes the temperature higher, we recorded almost 38° in some municipalities. These were records that were broken during the month of October and November. The relative humidity, it drops a lot, it is falling below 30%, which is a humidity comparable to deserts, this facilitates the proliferation of these fires. Often the farmer, he has no intention of causing an unprecedented fire, but the dry and hot climate, it facilitates the proliferation of these fires", he said.
Some air quality indicators began to show changes at the beginning of November. One of them is PM 2.5, fine particulate matter with a diameter of up to 2.5 micrometers. These particles are invisible to the naked eye and can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream.
"These are particles of fine dust. They started to increase since the beginning of this month, due to the fires that are taking place near the city of Macapá. We have reports of fires in the Piratuba lake region, the Bailique archipelago and Marajó, which, despite being part of the state of Pará, has more influence on us due to the dynamics of the winds", he highlighted.
According to pulmonologist Maracy Andrade, exposure to smoke can cause harm, especially in people with pre-existing respiratory diseases, but it can also affect those without health problems. The alert is even greater for members of the most vulnerable groups, such as children and the elderly.
“Anyone who can avoid this proximity, not only because of the heat, but also because of the gases that are released in these fires, this is the most appropriate course of action,” he explained.
"When people come into contact with inhalation or smoke released in fires, burns, they experience local irritation, in the eyes, nose, but they also often cause shortness of breath, wheezing. If this gets worse, the person really has to seek emergency care to be treated," he said.
Recommendations include avoiding exposure to smoke, keeping doors and windows closed whenever possible, humidifying environments and increasing water intake. The measures help protect the respiratory tract and reduce the impacts caused by poor air quality.
