More than 8 thousand fires are registered in October in PA; 6 most affected municipalities are in the west of the state

In Santarém, a crisis room will be set up to integrate the actions of the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama), the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) and the Fire Department. The operation will also involve teams from the National Force and the Federal Police, who will work to determine the origin of the fires.

A Prevfogo base, Ibama's forest fire prevention and combat program, is already operating in the region with 91 firefighters. The Ministry of the Environment reported that more agents will be sent to Pará, but did not detail the number of professionals who should reinforce the teams.

Air Tractor model aircraft have already arrived in Santarém to help fight the flames. Airplanes are used to drop water on areas affected by fire. It is expected that at least six aircraft will participate in the operation.

The Pará Fire Department also reported that it will send reinforcements to meet demand in the regions most affected by the fires.

In Mojuí dos Campos, in western Pará, the city hall declared an emergency this week due to the fires. As a preventive measure, classes in rural areas were suspended.

In Santarém, teams from the Fire Department are also working to fight the flames. A fire in the Eixo Forte region on Friday afternoon (24) mobilized two garrisons to respond to an incident. According to the statement, the fire that came close to homes was already under control.

In the southwest of Pará, Altamira is also in an emergency situation due to forest fires. One of the most affected areas is the Riozinho do Anfrísio Extractive Reserve, where approximately 4 thousand hectares were devastated by fire, according to ICMBio.

Firefighters are working in the region to contain the flames. Teams from the Carajás national parks, in Pará, and Itatiaia, in Rio de Janeiro, also reinforced firefighting actions.

The lack of rain worsens the situation in the region. According to researchers from the Federal University of Western Pará (Ufopa), Santarém has been without rain for around three months.

With dry vegetation, fire can spread easily and threaten forest areas, rural properties and homes.