NASA satellite records smoke from forest fires in AM seen from space
Quick Look
- NASA satellite image shows extensive layer of smoke over Manaus and Amazonas this Friday, with the capital recording the worst air quality in Brazil for the second day in a row.
- Civil Defense issued a severe warning, recommending avoiding prolonged exposure and using masks.
- 82 emergency visits related to smoke were recorded between October 1st and 8th, and fires are affecting municipalities such as Itacoatiara, with Lago do Canaçari on the 20th day of burning.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Amazonas is facing an increase in forest fires, common in the dry season, which has affected air quality in Manaus and neighboring municipalities. Smoke from fires has reduced visibility and increased levels of pollutants, especially fine PM2.5 particles, leading to health alerts and suspension of in-person activities.
NASA image reveals extent of smoke over Manaus and AM this Friday amid the spread of fires. — Photo: Reproduction/Nasa Worldwide View
A NASA satellite image recorded an extensive layer of smoke over the Manaus region and areas of Amazonas this Friday (9). The record comes amid the spread of fires in the state and the worsening of air quality in the capital, which dawned under a dense layer of smoke for the second day in a row. See the record above.
The record was consulted on the Worldview platform, which allows you to monitor satellite images of the Earth. The smoke is gray in color and visually less dense than the surrounding clouds, seen in white. The capital Manaus is identified with a red dot.
The image allows us to visualize the extent of the smoke coverage over the region, in a scenario marked by fires in vegetation areas and the presence of pollutants in the air.
Faced with worsening pollution, Civil Defense issued a severe warning about health risks and recommended that the population avoid prolonged exposure to smoke. Educational institutions also suspended in-person activities in the capital.
Manaus records the worst air quality in Brazil
This Friday, Manaus recorded, for the second consecutive day, the worst air quality in Brazil, according to the international platform IQAir.
At around 5am, the Air Quality Index (AQI⁺) reached 366, classified as "dangerous". The concentration of fine PM2.5 particles reached 258.2 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³).
The Electronic Environmental Surveillance System (Selva), from the State University of Amazonas (UEA), also classified the air quality as poor this Friday morning. Around 6 am, neighborhoods such as Morro da Liberdade and Educandos recorded concentrations of up to 320.2 µg/m³ of polluting particles.
Given the scenario, Civil Defense recommended that the population avoid prolonged exposure to smoke and wear protective masks when leaving home.
Civil Defense recommends the use of a mask in Manaus — Photo: Reproduction/Defesa Civil
Smoke causes emergency calls
The impact of smoke also raises an alert for the health of the population. According to the State Department of Health of Amazonas (SES-AM), 82 emergency visits were recorded related to the effects of smoke from fires in Manaus between October 1st and 8th.
Since July 1st, the secretariat's monitoring has recorded 375 calls related to the effects of smoke in the capital. According to SES-AM, there was a significant increase in registrations in the last week.
Smoke from forest fires covers the city of Manaus (AM), leaving air quality at a terrible level in the capital and cities in the metropolitan region, this Friday, October 9, 2026. — Photo: EDMAR BARROS/ATO PRESS/ESTADÃO CONTEÚDO
The data also undergoes qualification of clinical information to identify cases effectively compatible with exposure to smoke. The secretariat emphasizes that the records, in isolation, do not allow establishing a cause and effect relationship between exposure and the symptoms presented.
Reported symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, throat irritation, headache, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and fatigue.
Fires hit municipalities in Amazonas
In addition to Manaus, other municipalities are also facing the effects of the fires. In the Metropolitan Region, Itacoatiara dawned covered in dense smoke. During the night, the Selva application recorded around 500 µg/m³ of polluting particles in the municipality.
The fire in Lago do Canaçari reached its 20th day, with an affected area of approximately 1,300 hectares. Residents and teams work to open firebreaks, strips of land without vegetation used to prevent the spread of flames, and fight the fire, with the support of an aircraft.
Canaçari Community, in Itacoatiara, has been burning for 20 days - October 8, 2026 — Photo: Liam Cavalcante/Rede Amazônica
Another fire, near the Jacarezinho neighborhood, reached its third day, affecting an area of 256.71 hectares. Firefighters work to isolate the flames to prevent the fire from spreading.
Data from the Amazon Protection System Management and Operational Center (Censipam) indicates 46 new fire events in the region between October 4th and 7th.
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How to protect yourself from smoke
SES-AM advises the population to avoid prolonged exposure to smoke, reduce physical activity outdoors during periods of higher concentration of pollutants, keep environments closed and drink water frequently.
Children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases should take extra care.
In case of mild symptoms, it is possible to seek care through the Saúde AM Digital app or at the reference Basic Health Unit. In the event of serious symptoms, the advice is to immediately seek urgent and emergency services or call Samu by calling 192.
Smoke covers the city of Itacoatiara, in the interior of Amazonas — Photo: Liam Cavalcante/Rede Amazônica
Dense layer of smoke in the Nova Cidade neighborhood, in Manaus — Photo: Lucas Macedo/g1
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Civil Defense may maintain or intensify health alerts if air quality does not improve in the coming days.
Likely · Within days
New emergency visits related to smoke may be recorded in the coming days, especially among vulnerable groups.
Possible · Within days
The fires in Lago do Canaçari and other areas may continue for more days, as they are already in their 20th and third day, respectively.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What is the projection for the duration of the fires in the coming weeks?
- What measures are being taken to combat the fires in addition to opening firebreaks?
- Is there an investigation into the causes of the fires, especially whether there is a criminal origin?
- What is the estimated long-term health impact of prolonged exposure to smoke?
