Brazil continues to burn: Minas Gerais region, in the southeast of the country, suffers from more than 3,400 fires in September

According to the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe), Minas Gerais was affected by 6,553 heat spots in 2019 alone. The number already exceeds the total of 2018. In September alone, Inpe detected 3,446 fire spots in Minas Gerais.

The Minas Gerais government decided to set up a task force to fight fire in Rio Doce State Park. There is still no confirmation of the size of the affected area, but the State Forest Institute has received information that the fire started in a criminal way.

The team was formed by the State Forest Institute, Fire Department, Military Police, Brigades against fires, and volunteers. In total there are over 200 involved. The works are also supported by aircraft.

In another Brazilian state, in Mato Grosso, the Chapada dos Guimarães National Park is the target of arson. The state government has already declared an emergency.