Forest fires in Brazil kill at least two people

The São Paulo state government has created a crisis response cabinet to deal with wildfires that have put 30 Brazilian cities on alert.

The fire killed two people and smoke disrupted traffic on dozens of highways, while the capital São Paulo was shrouded in a gray haze.

High temperatures and low humidity are increasing the risk of dangerous wildfires in the state, which is suffering from a prolonged drought.

Local authorities said two workers at an industrial plant in the city of Urupes died on Friday while fighting a fire, but did not provide further details, Reuters reported.

Brazil recently experienced a massive forest fire in the Pantanal wetlands and major flooding in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

State authorities also warned that wildfires could spread rapidly with gusty winds, potentially burning large areas of natural vegetation.

Writing on social media, Governor Tarcísio de Freitas said: “We currently have 30 municipalities on high alert for major fires and we are working to control the situation and ensure safety.”

In a separate parcel He later wrote: “São Paulo is facing difficult times and we are committed to working together to control the fires and keep people safe.

“We have been on the ground all day to ensure a rapid response to the most affected areas, such as Piracicaba, Barrinha, Sertãozinho and Ribeirão Preto. We will not rest until the situation returns to normal.”

Meanwhile, the state’s capital, São Paulo, was covered in a thick gray fog.

“With strong winds, fires could spread rapidly,” the government warned in a statement.

“Fires emit dense and toxic smoke that is harmful to the environment and human health, causing respiratory problems and cardiovascular disorders,” the report added.

The situation is dire in São Jose do Rio Preto, a city of 480,000 people, which has recorded more than 335 fires in recent days, forcing schools to close, AFP reported.

Brazil has been hit by a series of extreme weather events, most recently a massive forest fire in the Pantanal wetlands in June.

At the time, climate experts said this year’s wildfire season started earlier and was more intense than in previous years.

Earlier this year in May, Brazil also experienced once-in-a-century flood in Rio Grande do Sul state killing more than 170 people and displacing more than half a million from their homes.