Parliamentarians from Amazonas comment on significant smoke in Manaus

Manaus (AM) – The city of Manaus suffered this week from an intense cloud of smoke, reaching “very unhealthy” levels in the “Air Quality Index Values” (AQI), a global map that indicates quality this Thursday (28). Mayor David Almeida (Avante) and parliamentarians from Amazonas commented on climate change and environmental problems.

The municipal manager, David Almeida, reaffirmed, last Friday (29), that the thick cloud of smoke that has been covering the city in recent days is not caused by fires in the capital, but rather by municipalities in the region metropolitan area and the south of the State of Amazonas. He reported that, in the last two days, only two fires were registered in the capital of Amazonas.

Data from the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe) shows that, from last July to today (29), 14,203 fires were recorded in Amazonas. Of this total, 53 in Manaus, representing 0.4% of the total occurrences in the last three months of 2023.

“We did our homework. We have been running the ‘Manaus sem Fumaça’ campaign for three months. We anticipate with actions, guidelines and educational campaigns for the population. We don’t have fires to cause all this smoke. As the wind is rising in this cold front that comes from the South, this smoke ends up stopping inside the city”,

declared David Almeida, during the delivery of boats and engines to rural communities, in the São Raimundo neighborhood.

The State of Amazonas has also maintained its leading position in the Queimadas Program ranking, for more than 20 consecutive days. Until September 19, 5,186 fires were recorded. According to information from the Amazonas Fire Department, 1,193 fire incidents were attended to between July and September, 473 of which were in Manaus.

Federal deputy Amom Mandel (Cidadania-AM) met with authorities from federal agencies on Thursday (28), to request support for actions to combat the smoke that reaches the metropolitan region of Manaus, originating from fires in Amazonas.

“Until the equipment arrives in Amazonas and is made available, the fire that takes the smoke to Manaus will probably continue to occur. We continue to fight for the federal government to provide immediate assistance,”

Amon declared.

After ministerial meetings, the federal deputy announced that Rodrigo Agostinho, president of the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA), confirmed support for the Amazonas Environment Secretariat to supply equipment to the State Fire Department.

The action seeks to meet the demand of Amazonas in combating fires in the metropolitan region of Manaus, which have made the air quality unhealthy, according to the “Air Quality Index Values” (AQI), a world map that indicates air quality from the air in real time.

In addition to the support from the federal body, Mandel also began a joint effort with senator Alessandro Vieira (MDB-SE) and other Brazilian parliamentarians to strengthen support for inspection and firefighting actions in the region.

“We are articulating support from other states to fight the fires in Amazonas during this difficult period. I would like to thank all my fellow parliamentarians who made themselves available to try”,

finished.

On Thursday (28), deputy Mário César Filho used the Legislative Assembly’s rostrum to express his concern about the federal government’s lack of action in combating fires in the Amazon region and other environmental problems

During his speech, the politician criticized the deplorable situation in the city, which is filled with smoke, and questioned the stance of those who last year called out “Save the Amazon”, but perhaps have never visited Amazonas. The parliamentarian then presented a bill that aims to hold companies responsible for causing illegal fires, as an alternative measure.

State deputy Rozenha (PMB), this Friday (29), defended the need to find solutions to the consequences of the strong drought, mainly in the interior of Amazonas. For the deputy, one of the concerns is the lack of knowledge of the real origin of the smoke that is plaguing the state capital.

“I am worried about reading some news that blames this climate accident on the simple man from the countryside. The subsistence farmer is not to blame. He is also a victim.”

said Rozenha.

The parliamentarian also highlights that it is common to observe forest fires during trips to regions with low population density. He explains that these outbreaks are examples of possible spontaneous combustion. Situations in which a simple glass bottle, under a 40º sun, can be responsible for starting a fire in a dry forest region.

“I guarantee you that the culprits are not the farmers, above all, the subsistence farmers. He who plants a field, who still sets it on fire, even out of ignorance and lack of technical knowledge”,

said Rozenha.

Speaking at the Legislative Assembly of Amazonas, on Thursday (28), deputies Wilker Barreto (Citizenship) and João Luiz (Republicans) brought the topic to the Plenary Ruy Araújo, stating that, according to data from the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe ), the smoke originates from fires carried out in the forest areas of Manaus and in cities in the interior, between Autazes (113 kilometers from the capital), Novo Airão (115 kilometers) and Iranduba (27 kilometers), which account for 58 occurrences in these areas alone areas.

“I haven’t seen anything like it yet”spoke deputy Delegado Péricles (PL), who showed data from the Electronic Environmental Surveillance System (Selva) platform, indicating that the air quality on Wednesday night (27), in Manaus, was above levels considered bad. “There are many burning areas in the Amazon, and the Amazonian summer, with its lack of rain, prevents this smoke from dissipating.”Pericles explained.

Deputies Daniel Almeida (Avante), Adjuto Afonso (UB), Rozenha (PMB), Thiago Abrahim (UB), Carlinhos Bessa (PV) and Dr. George Lins (UB) also spoke out on the topic and asked the State Executive seek support from the Ministry of the Environment, so that bridges can be built to intensify the fight against fires, which, as parliamentarians highlighted, cause health problems. “Hospitals are full of people with respiratory problems due to the intense smoke”said Dr. George Lins, who is a doctor.

This Friday (29), state deputy Dr. Mayara Pinheiro Reis (Republicans) filed Request No. 4531/2023 asking the Government of Amazonas to act as an intermediary in the purchase or rental of aircraft with firefighting functions.

According to Mayara, the aircraft would be the ideal support for brigade members who face the emergency situation throughout the state in combating fires, due to the period of intense drought.

“The State Government has already declared an environmental emergency, increased the number of firefighters and tools for monitoring hot spots, but we know that, in fire situations, it is necessary to act quickly and, given the peculiarities of access and transport in our region, The use of these planes would be the most agile solution and a reinforcement for the team, as the release of water can fight fires directly, reduce the heat and height of the flames, as well as delay the spread of the fire, allowing more effective actions by the fighters who are on the ground”,

justifies the deputy.

Health Harms

According to ophthalmologist and researcher Swammy Mitozo, smoke is an eye irritant. If you can’t avoid staying away from her, you need to use an artificial lubricant.

“The use of lubricant in these cases prevents what we call dry eye syndrome, or inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva, such as keratitis and conjunctivitis,” said Swammy.

The smoke caused by fires contains carcinogenic substances that reach the breathing, lungs and several other organs, including the eyes. “The eyes are harmed due to the levels of carbon in suspension”, highlighted Swammy.

According to the ophthalmologist, the irritability caused by smoke can harm the eyes, preventing the mucous membranes from having the necessary defenses against environmental adversities.

Read more:

After Amom articulations, IBAMA guarantees help to combat fires in Amazonas

Deputy calls for federal government action to combat fires

Wilson Lima expands measures against drought and declares an emergency situation in municipalities