The intense fires that are ravaging the interior of São Paulo led the local government to create a crisis cabinet to manage monitoring and control actions of the situation.
According to the Emergency Management Center (CGE) of the Civil Defense, there are active fire outbreaks in 30 cities, which is why maximum alert was established for large fires in these locations.
“These are locations that have low air humidity and high risk with the heat wave that affects the entire state,” the state government said in a statement.
“There are risks that these fires will be enhanced by gusts of wind, reaching large areas of natural vegetation – in addition to emitting “dense and toxic smoke that harms the environment and human health, causing problems with the respiratory system and cardiovascular disorders.”
The smoke has spread to several areas of the state, and there are records of relative humidity below 20%, in addition to very intense heat – which further harms the situation. According to the government of São Paulo, two employees of a plant in Urupês died trying to fight a fire.
Some large fires led the local government to close some highways, which ended up having a “significant” impact on traffic in several regions. Alerts have been issued suggesting drivers avoid certain routes, and to constantly update themselves on traffic conditions on the route, before hitting the road.
“The main recommendation is to avoid crossing areas with smoke and fire screens. If there is no such possibility, reduce speed, keep the low beams on and a safe distance from the vehicle ahead,” says the note from the government of São Paulo.
The
municipalities on high alert for fires are: Alumínio, Araraquara, Bernardino de Campos, Boa Esperança do Sul, Dourado, Iacanga, Itápolis, Itirapina, Jaú, Lucélia, Monte Alegre do Sul, Monte Azul Paulista, Nova Granada, Piracicaba, Pirapora do Bom Jesus, Pitangueiras, Poloni, Pompeia, Pontal, Presidente Epitácio, Sabino, Salmourão, Santo Antônio da Alegria, Santo Antônio do Arancanguá, São Bernardo do Campo, São Simão, Sertãozinho, Taquarituba, Torrinha and Ubarana.
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