Pantanal: MT and MS declare fire emergency – 11/14/2023 – Environment

The large fires in the Pantanal led the governments of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul to declare, this Tuesday (14), a situation of emergency.

In the case of Mato Grosso do Sul, the decree, published in the state’s Official Gazette, applies to the municipalities of Corumbá, Ladário, Miranda, Aquidauana and Porto Murtinho.

Signed by Governor Eduardo Riedel (PSDB), the decree recalls the current heat wave and highlights the very high temperatures in the region recently, in addition to the low air humidity. The text cites temperatures above 42°C in Porto Murtinho and Corumbá.

The Mato Grosso do Sul decree stipulates that the emergency situation lasts 90 days. As of the decree, tenders are waived to deal with cases with potential harm or compromise to public services, safety of people and public or private assets.

The exemption from bidding applies to works and services that can be completed within a maximum of one year.

According to data from the Queimadas program, from Inpe (National Institute for Space Research), this Tuesday alone, a total of 194 fires were recorded in 4 of the 5 cities that entered an emergency situation in Mato Grosso do Sul (the exception is Ladário, no new outbreaks on the date). Corumbá has more than 90 of these outbreaks.

Since last Friday (10), these four cities in the Pantanal have recorded 816 fires.

In the case of Mato Grosso, the decree is valid for the state as a whole and is in force for 60 days, with the possibility of extension.

Since the beginning of this month, Poconé (MT) has been the city in the country with the most hot spots, followed by Corumbá (MS), according to data from the Queimadas program.

In Mato Grosso, other cities most affected by the flames are Barão de Melgaço and Cáceres, according to Inpe.