Santarém updates emergency decree and expands siege against fires in Alter do Chão and Saubal
Decree No. 824/2026 suspends burning licenses, authorizes exemption from bidding and revokes previous environmental emergency decree
Quick Look
Santarém City Hall decrees a total ban on burning for 90 days, with exemption from bidding for equipment and police power for Civil Defense, due to fires in APAs and increase in respiratory problems.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Decree nº 824/2026 revokes decree nº 792/2026 of October 28, which dealt with the environmental emergency more broadly. The emergency due to extreme drought continues to be addressed by decree nº 774/2026.
The new decree (nº 824/2026), this time, targets legally protected regions that have been suffering from constant fires, such as the APAs of Alter do Chão and Serra do Saubal. The decision was based on a technical opinion from the Municipal Civil Defense, which warned of environmental risks and the increase in medical care in the public health network due to respiratory problems caused by smoke.
With the new rule, the use of fire to clear land, burning garbage, leftover leaves and branches, as well as land residues, is strictly prohibited throughout the entire territory of Santarém. The decree suspends all municipal burning licenses and authorizations that had previously been granted. The prohibition only does not apply to fire-fighting actions carried out by firefighters and brigade members themselves.
To speed up the fight against the flames, the city hall authorized the exemption from bidding for the purchase of equipment, contracting of works and services directly linked to combating the emergency. These simplified contracts must be concluded within a maximum of 180 days. The emergency decree is initially valid for 90 days and can be extended for the same period.
The new measure expressly revokes the previous decree (nº 792/2026), of October 28, which dealt with the environmental emergency more broadly. According to the municipal administration, actions against fires now occur specifically for forest areas, while the emergency due to extreme drought continues to be dealt with independently by another decree in force (nº 774/2026).
The document also gives police power to security and Civil Defense agents, who will be able to enter private properties to provide assistance or determine the evacuation of families in the event of an imminent risk of fire. The Municipal Environment Secretariat (Semma) informed that it will intensify inspection to identify and administratively and criminally punish those responsible for illegal fires in the city.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Semma will intensify supervision and apply administrative and criminal punishments to those responsible for illegal fires.
Likely · Within weeks
The emergency decree will initially be valid for 90 days and may be extended for the same period.
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What are the budgetary values foreseen for contracts exempt from bidding?
- What specific fines or sanctions will be applied to those responsible for illegal fires?
- How many families can be evacuated and where will they be taken?
