Ibama wants to hire fire-fighting planes

The Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) predicts that the fires could spread throughout the country until the end of October. The institute's technicians consider this a pessimistic forecast, and the fire crisis could last for another 60 days. One of the strategies being evaluated is the hiring of agricultural spraying aircraft adapted to combat the fires.

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_{Fire (Photo: reproduction/Getty Images Embed/Michael Dantal)}

Aircraft Usage and Logistical Challenges

In the Pantanal, the government spends an average of R$10 million every two weeks, as they have hired private planes to fight fires. To implement this same project, a prior study is needed, ensuring suitable landing spots and fuel and water supplies.

The President of Ibama, Rodrigo Agostino states: “The rain puts out the fire, but it also brings a lot of smoke and makes it difficult to identify active points..”

Since Saturday, the minister has been in contact with Tarcísio Freitas, governor of São Paulo, to discuss a suitable strategy for fighting fires in the interior of São Paulo.

The need for firefighters and equipment to fight fires is under discussion. Resources are needed to implement this. The government will meet at the Civil House on Monday and Tuesday to define new actions.

Air Force Actions and Federal Support

On Sunday, the government sent the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) KC-390 Millenium aircraft to Ribeirão Preto. Due to visibility difficulties, its takeoff was postponed. Air Force commander Lieutenant Brigadier Marcelo Damasceno is in São Paulo to monitor the work. The aircraft is expected to begin operations on Monday to combat three outbreaks in the Ribeirão Preto region (SP).

José Monteiro, Minister of Defense, also commented on the current situation: “We have all our facilities available to help. The smoke is very strong and prevents you from seeing the fire from above, the source of the fire. Yesterday, no one could see anything.”.

To combat the fires, the government must implement effective strategies to address the fire crisis, intensifying actions to combat the fires. Specific strategies will be used, such as financial resources and federal support. To minimize the damage caused by fires across the country, collaboration between different sectors and preparation for logistical challenges is necessary.

Featured photo: fire in the interior of São Paulo (Rogério Pedrozo/TV TEM)