VIDEO: smoke covers avenue in the North Zone of Manaus and reduces visibility

Smoke from fires covered Avenida Max Teixeira, in Manaus, this Saturday (17). The video record shows reduced visibility and gray skies in the capital.

The capital of Amazonas reached 657 points in the air quality index this Saturday (17). The level is classified as dangerous by the international platform IQAir.

Civil Defense issued a severe risk alert and recommended the use of masks. Residents reported a strong smell, burning eyes and difficulty breathing.

Images taken by drone show smoke from the fires covering Avenida Max Teixeira, in the Cidade Nova neighborhood, North Zone of Manaus, this Saturday morning (17). The smoke reduced visibility in the region and left the sky gray.

The video was recorded by Alcides Neto during a flyover at around 6:20 am. The images also show a thick layer of smoke in different points close to the avenue, including in residential areas.

The record was made when Manaus was at the top of the ranking of cities with the worst air quality in Brazil, according to the international platform IQAir. At around 8:40 am this Saturday, the capital of Amazonas recorded 657 points on the air quality index (AQI+), classified as "dangerous".

The concentration of fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) was 404.3 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), equivalent to 80.9 times the annual concentration guideline recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Porto Velho (RO) appeared in second place in the Brazilian ranking, with 60 points in the air quality index.

At around 8:13 am this Saturday, the State Civil Defense issued a severe risk alert for air quality. In view of the smoke, the agency recommended the use of a mask when leaving home and that residents avoid exposure to the pollutant.

In case of emergency, the population can call the Civil Defense at 199 or the Fire Department at 193.

Manaus City Hall also published guidelines to reduce exposure to smoke from fires. Recommendations include drinking plenty of water, keeping doors and windows closed and humidifying the environment.

The municipality also advised the use of a mask when leaving home and avoiding physical activities outdoors. The city hall also warned that causing fires is a crime and asked that cases be reported by calling 153 or via the website: slim.manaus.am.gov.br.

On social media, residents of Manaus reported a strong smell of smoke, burning eyes and difficulty breathing this Saturday. Some publications described the episode as the worst ever experienced in the capital.

"Another day of waking up to the unbearable stench of smoke. The air quality in Manaus remains terrible and, once again, I say again that I feel like they are trying to suffocate us," wrote a user on the social network X.

Another resident reported that the smoke was impairing visibility: "Today is by far the worst day to be in Manaus, the smoke is so strong, smelly and dense that even visibility is affected."

“The worst threshold of all smoke episodes in the city,” posted another person.

There were also reports of burning eyes even at home and criticism of the authorities' actions. "I dare say that today is the worst day in Manaus in terms of pollution, your eyes burn indoors. And what's worse: government officials are not taking the issue as seriously as they should be," wrote one user.

Other publications pointed to the perception of worsening over the days. “It seems like Manaus is getting worse every day with this smoke,” said one person.

In another message, a user described the difficulty breathing in the capital: "Manaus, October 17, 2026. It's very difficult to breathe, strong smoke has spread throughout the city."