Intense wildfires raging through the Amazon rainforest and other regions of Brazil have generated thick smoke that is now choking major urban centers like Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The pervasive haze is not only affecting Brazil but also drifting into neighboring countries, raising concerns about regional air quality and public health.
Karla Longo, a researcher at the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), revealed that satellite imagery indicates approximately 60 percent of Brazil, Latin America's largest country, is currently impacted by smoke from the fires. She emphasized the vast scale of the affected area, noting, \"If we consider the areas affected in neighboring countries and the Atlantic Ocean, the area affected on Sunday was around ten million square kilometers (3.8 million square miles).\"
The smoke has crossed borders, with authorities in Argentina and Uruguay reporting compromised air quality in various parts of their nations. This widespread environmental crisis underscores the urgent need for coordinated regional efforts to address the wildfire situation and mitigate its far-reaching effects.
As the fires continue to burn, the international community watches closely, recognizing the significant implications for biodiversity, climate change, and the well-being of millions living in and around the affected areas.
Reference(s):
Smoke from Brazil fires clouds major cities, neighboring countries
cgtn.com
