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Brazil investigates surge in Amazon wildfires ahead of election

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 14:32 · Archive

Brazilian authorities are investigating whether a surge in Amazon wildfires was deliberately set for political purposes ahead of a presidential runoff later this month.

Brazilian authorities are investigating whether a recent surge in Amazon wildfires was deliberately set for political purposes ahead of a presidential runoff on 25 October between Senator Flávio Bolsonaro and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Fire counts across the Amazon have tripled since 4 October, when Brazilians voted in the first round of national elections. Bolsonaro's son won 47 per cent of the vote, whilst Lula received 45 per cent. The wildfires have particularly affected Amazonas and Para states, with smoke disrupting daily life in Manaus, the capital of Amazonas. Public school classes were cancelled and residents were urged to wear face masks.

Environment Minister João Paulo Capobianco said there were 'indications' of 'a premeditated effort' to start the fires. After flying over burned areas, he observed fires in protected forest areas arranged in a distinct geometric pattern, suggesting they may have been deliberately set. It remains unclear who might have started the fires or what their specific motivations may be. Conservative politicians in Amazonas state have been particularly vocal about the fires, according to monitoring by Barometro, a tool developed by Brazilian climate strategy agency FALA.

Brazil investigates surge in Amazon wildfires ahead of election
Image: News4Jax

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How it is being reported

In this story: Brazil · Amazon · Flávio Bolsonaro · Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva · João Paulo Capobianco · Manaus · Amazonas · Para

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