Santarém fines company R$150,000 for wood stock that worsened fire smoke in Serra do Saubal

The City of Santarém, in western Pará, imposed a fine of R$150,000 on a company located in the Saubal Environmental Protection Area (APA), a place that has been experiencing a forest fire for five consecutive days. The Municipal Environment Secretariat (Semma) clarified that the company is not being investigated for starting the fire, but rather for the irregular storage of wood waste that fueled the fire and worsened the smoke in the city.

Semma emphasized that the fine was of an administrative nature due to the inadequate storage of the material and not for causing the fire. However, the company's negligence made it difficult for the Fire Department and firefighters who have been trying to control the flames in the conservation unit since the weekend.