Air quality varies from 'moderate' to 'very bad' in Manaus and cities in Amazonas this Tuesday (20)

Data from the Electronic Environmental Surveillance System (Selva), from the State University of Amazonas (UEA), indicated different levels of air quality in the neighborhoods of Manaus at around 7:30 am.

In Morro da Liberdade, the index was 116.3, according to the 'very bad' index. In Cidade Nova, the record was 77.6, 'very bad'. In Parque Dez de Novembro, the index was 42.7 µg/m³, while in the Industrial District it was 38.7 µg/m³, considered 'moderate'.

Air quality is considered good by Selva when the concentration of particles is between 0 and 25 µg/m³. Above this level, the indices undergo classifications that vary from moderate to terrible, depending on the scale used by the system.

In the Metropolitan Region of Manaus and other municipalities in Amazonas, air quality indices varied between different classification levels this Tuesday morning (20).

In Manacapuru, the records were 78 and 57.2. In Itacoatiara, the indices were 37.1 and 44.2. In Iranduba, the values ​​were 37.5 and 40.1.

In Careiro da Várzea, the index was 49. In Careiro and Manaquiri, the records were 78 in each municipality. In Rio Preto da Eva, the values ​​were 48.2 and 43.4. In Autazes, the indices were 40.5 and 42.

In Boca do Acre, the records were 89.3, 17.4 and 32.9. In Lábrea, the indices were 0.5, 31.6 and 29.9. In Caapiranga, the record was 89.4.

A series of fires have been recorded in the Metropolitan Region of Manaus and in municipalities in the interior of Amazonas since the end of August.

One of the main outbreaks occurred in the Urubu River region, in Itacoatiara, where a fire remained active for more than 40 days. The municipality also recorded a strong fire in the Lago do Canaçari region, which destroyed more than 1,300 hectares.

In the capital, a fire on land in the Distrito Industrial II neighborhood lasted more than 48 hours and contributed to the worsening of air quality in the region.

The advance of the flames caused the capital and municipalities such as Itacoatiara, Manacapuru and Autazes to be covered in smoke.

In the capital, the city's routine was affected with the cancellation of outdoor activities and public school classes. The Federal University of Amazonas (Ufam) and the State University of Amazonas (UEA) also suspended activities.

The federal government announced, this Sunday (18), the reinforcement of operations to combat fires in Amazonas, with an increase to 16 aircraft, mobilization of four squadrons of helicopters, two ships and more brigade members.

The measures include the creation of a Joint Chiefs of Staff to coordinate the actions of the Armed Forces and bodies involved in fighting forest fires, which are advancing in the state and causing smoke in Manaus.

The announcement was made during a press conference at the headquarters of the Superintendence of the Manaus Free Trade Zone (Suframa), in the capital, after a meeting between representatives of the federal and state governments. According to the Minister of Defense, José Múcio Monteiro, the new command structure began operating this Sunday and should speed up decision-making and the mobilization of resources.

In the health area, a decentralized base of the SUS National Force will be installed in Manaus on Tuesday (20). The structure must increase the capacity to respond to possible impacts of smoke on the health of residents.