Civil Defense issues high-risk alert for forest fires in dozens of cities in RJ

The warning is valid for the cities of Barra do Piraí (RJ), Barra Mansa (RJ), Comendador Levy Gasparian (RJ), Engenheiro Paulo de Frontin (RJ), Itatiaia (RJ), Mendes (RJ), Miguel Pereira (RJ), Paracambi (RJ), Paraíba do Sul (RJ), Paty do Alferes (RJ), Pinheiral (RJ), Piraí (RJ), Porto Real (RJ), Quatis (RJ), Resende (RJ), Rio Claro (RJ), Rio das Flores (RJ), Sapucaia (RJ), Três Rios (RJ), Valença (RJ), Vassouras (RJ) and Volta Redonda (RJ).

In the images taken from the Civil Defense website, it is possible to see most of the municipalities in the region marked in red, which indicates the high level for forest fires. In the cities of Angra dos Reis (RJ) and Paraty, the risk was classified as ''Moderate'' (see above).

According to the Natural Disaster Monitoring and Alert Center (Cemaden), conditions favorable to the spread of fires occur when there are, simultaneously, high temperatures (above 30°), low relative air humidity (below 30%) and winds exceeding 15 km/h.

According to the city's Civil Defense, the entire territory of the municipality is classified as high risk for fires and the average air humidity was recorded as very low.

Also according to the agency, it is necessary to pay extra attention to the risk of static electricity when handling flammable materials.